Locations
Whitefield Avenue, Bristol, BS5
Description
A judge told a Speedwell man found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls that the "guilt is all yours".
Scott Hunt, 33, of Whitefield Avenue, abused the youngsters on multiple occasions, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Though he still denies wrongdoing a jury convicted him of three charges of causing or inciting a child aged under-13 to engage in sexual activity on one girl, and two charges of sexual assault of a child aged under-13 on another.
The Recorder Mr Neil Millard jailed him for eight years.
Both complainants read impact statements to the court outlining the guilt and shame they endured as a result of the abuse.
The judge told Hunt: "They should feel no guilt.
"They did nothing wrong.
"The guilt is all yours.
"There is absolutely no guilt on them.
"Their strength is in coming here and telling this court what you did to them.
"They are not little girls anymore, they are strong young women.
"The guilt is yours."
Hunt was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning him from contact or working with youngsters aged under 16.
He was told to register his whereabouts to police for life.
One complainant told how the abuse left her "confused and frightened".
She stated: "I was just a little girl.
"I didn't understand a lot of things that happened."
The complainant said Hunt manipulated her and told her not to tell anybody about the abuse.
She described how she had blanked a lot of happy childhood memories and became nervous around men.
The other complainant said she suffered feelings of "guilt, shame and disgust" about the abuse, which left her very angry and with trust issues.
Catherine Spedding, defending, said her client was left disfigured after suffering horrific burns aged 11 months.
She said he was picked on in his early life, became isolated and lonely, and a Probation Service report concluded there was a link between his accident and his offending behaviour.
The court heard Hunt had been primary carer for his mother, who suffers from vascular dementia.
Miss Spedding said: "He still does not accept the offences.
"He does appear to accept the effect it would have on the victims."
Investigating officer DC Michael Coleman said: These were awful offences committed against two defenceless young girls in the Bristol area several years ago.
"They were first reported to the police in 2017 resulting in a thorough investigation being carried out. T
"The defendant was charged in January 2021 and convicted of five offences following a recent trial at Bristol Crown Court.
Both victims have shown tremendous bravery, fortitude and resilience throughout the criminal investigation and resulting court proceedings.
I hope the custodial sentence given to Hunt will be able to help the victims find some form of closure.
"I also hope it will encourage other victims of sexual abuse to come forward and report offences committed against them, in the knowledge they will be believed and listened to.