Locations
Carlton Road, Ryde, Isle Of Wight, PO33
Description
A PAEDOPHILE who preyed on a teenage girl with autism was jailed for six years by an Isle of Wight Crown Court judge.
Ashley Holness, of Carlton Road, Ryde, was told by Judge Susan Evans he had groomed his victim and his behaviour had been so appalling, it was likely the victim will suffer 'serious emotional damage'.
The head chef admitted seven counts of intentional sexual touching of a child, two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one of taking indecent photographs of a child, all against a girl aged under 16, between August 12 and December 23 last year.
An application to have Holness's sentenced reduced for pleading guilty at a later hearing, was rejected by the judge on the grounds he "knew full well what he had done" when he appeared before Island magistrates.
During his depraved acts against the young teen, Holness, 36, warned her to be quiet, and groomed her by rewarding her with cash, said John Farmer, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Tuesday.
Holness also made her undress so he could take photographs of her naked, the judge was told.
When arrested, police discovered the photographs on his mobile phone.
For Holness, Thomas Horder said: "There is very little I can say in mitigation that can take away from the serious nature of the offences.
"He makes no attempt to play down or cast out any aspect of the allegations made."
Referring to a letter his client wrote to the court, Mr Horder said Holness had showed remorse.
"It captures how sorry he is. He knows the impact his behaviour has had on the girl," said Mr Horder.
"At the time, he was dealing with his wife's illness, a bitter dispute with a neighbour, drinking alcohol, in a way he had never done before, and taking cannabis."
Character references for Holness were handed to the judge.
On top of his jail term, Holness was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Judge Evans said: "The victim was someone made all the more vulnerable because she has autism.
"I accept you developed depression and anxiety in the weeks leading up to your offending, but none of that provides any excuse for the shocking manner in which you behaved."