A council porter indecently assaulted his granddau

A council porter indecently assaulted his granddaughter
for more than half a decade, a court heard.

Tragically the schoolgirl, now 12, had also been sexually
abused not only by her father, but two uncles as well.

The 58-year-old Manor Park grandfather admitted four
charges of indecently assaulting the girl between the ages of
seven and 12.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how on December 23 last year
he phoned West Ham Police Station saying that he wanted to come
in and confess.

Mr Raymond Sturgess, prosecuting, said that the assaults would
happen when the youngster visited him ‘from time to time.

‘
Counsel explained how during cuddling or tickling he would touch
indecently touch her under her clothing, though not beneath her
underwear.

‘She later said in her statement that he never went any further
than that.

‘She seems to have affection towards her grandfather who was in a
position of trust,’ said Mr Sturgess.

The court heard that the victim was subjected to sexual abuse of
a more serious nature at the hands of her father and uncles although
those three men have since been put on probation.

Mr Philip Rubery, defending, said the defendant felt ‘a deep
sense of shame’.

‘He has had to live with his disgrace and self disgust and has
felt very angry with himself for committing these offences.

‘
Mr Rubery said he had contacted police to try to ‘clear
his conscience.

‘
He suffers from arthritis and has taken early retirement
from his job with Newham Council – but because of the offences
he will lose his full pension rights.

Judge Alan Hitching adjourned sentencing him until August 28 for
reports and to be assessed for a place on a sex offenders’
rehabilitation unit.

But the judged warned: ‘You might still lose your liberty.

‘
ENDS