Telford man gets five years for sexually assaulting child

Dean Clout, 52, of Magpie Way, was told by a judge yesterday he had committed a "deep betrayal of trust".

Clout had admitted having sexual activity with the child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, but he had denied his offending had gone further and had amounted to sexual assault.

A jury found him guilty of sexual assault after a trial last month and he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday for sentencing. Clout was jailed for a total of five years for the offences.

Mrs Debra White, for Clout, said he was of previous good character and had been able to hand in a bundle of references and testimonials in his support.

Mrs White said the offences related to two separate incidents and said: "He is highly regarded and he has shown genuine remorse. He had not sought to disguise or hide his behaviour.

"He accepts when he had committed the offences he had drunk alcohol and that took away inhibitions.

"Alcohol was a factor in this case."

Mrs White said Clout regretted the "devastation" caused by his action to his victim and family.

She said: "He understands what he did on these two occasions has had catastrophic effects."

Clout was told he would serve half his sentence in prison and the rest on licence.

He was made subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, without limit of time.