A pervert who lured a child into some bushes before sexually assaulting them has been branded a ‘parent’s worst nightmare’.
Wayne Duggan was hiding in bushes after smoking cannabis while waiting for his opportunity to strike, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The 40-year-old forced the primary school youngster to sit on his knee before carrying out a sickening sexual assault on them.
Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said the incident happened on Teesside and that traces of DNA were found on the child’s clothing after he let them go, once he had abused them last year.
He added: “They told police that a man dragged them into a bush and made them sit on his knee before putting them on the floor and carrying out a sex act. He then said they were free to go.
“They said they were scared. They thought they were going to be kidnapped.
“They had never seen the man before and at the time they were mouthing the word ‘help’ to their friend.”
In a victim personal statement, the youngster's mother said the attack had significantly impacted on family life in the wake of the abuse.
She added: “[Victim] is now refusing to speak to male family members who they used to speak to before the incident.
“[Victim] doesn’t play out any more and prefers staying in the house.”
Following his arrest, the defendant told police that he had been smoking cannabis.
Duggan, of Marton Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a child under 13 and a further charge of kidnap was allowed to lie on the court files.
Paul Newcombe, mitigating, said his client had learning difficulties and had been suffering with his mental health after being diagnosed as schizophrenic.
He added: “He was living in supported accommodation at the time and it was for people living with poor mental health.”
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Judge Geoffrey Marson KC told the Middlesbrough pervert he was ‘parent’s worst nightmare’ as he locked him up for five years.
He added: “[Victim] was playing with another young friend when you, fuelled by cannabis, dragged them into the bushes and sexually abused them.
“It was, albeit not the longest of incidents, it was horrific for them, who must have been frightened out of her life and was mouthing the word ‘help’ to her young friend – she feared she was going to be kidnapped.”
Duggan was also told he must sign on the sex offenders’ register for life; was made subject of a sexual harm prevention order; and was made subject of an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim.
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