Telford pervert gets four-year term for child sex assaults
A 64-year-old man involved in sexually assaulting a young girl and possessing hundreds of indecent images of children has been jailed.
Michael Collins, from Telford, had been convicted of six offences involving a girl under the age of 13 after a trial in November last year. He was also found guilty of seven other offences relating to the possession of almost 950 indecent photographs.
At Stafford Crown Court yesterday Collins, of Calcott, Stirchley, was jailed for a total of four years.
The court heard that the young victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been traumatised by the events.
Collins, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, continued to protest his innocence as he was being sentenced. The court heard a probation report said he had continued to maintain his denials which suggested he was at high risk of re-offending.
Recorder Kevin Hegarty ruled that, in view of Collins' previous good character, his lack of mobility and that he was suffering from a progressive illness, he should not be considered a dangerous offender.
However, he said the defendant had repeatedly abused the victim.
Collins was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order, a restraining order relating to the victim and must also be on the sex offenders' register. All three orders are for an indefinite period.
