A Burnham-On-Sea paedophile has this week been jailed for eight years after carrying out a series of sickening sexual assaults on a seven-year-old girl he had been babysitting.
Cyril Jenkins, 67, from Grove Road appeared via a video link at Taunton Crown Court from Exeter Prison.
Prosecuting, Caroline Bolt said Jenkins had become friendly with the family and had stepped in to help with child care during the half-term holiday. But after the family fell out with him, the young girl told her mother he had “asked to touch her down below”.
“When the girl was interviewed by the police, she gave some very limited disclosures, saying that she didn’t like it and she had kept saying no,” Mrs Bolt said. “He shut the door and he wouldn’t let her leave.”
Jenkins, when he was arrested by police, told them: “I’ve touched her. She’s seen me and touched me.”
However, during the interview Jenkins gave the insinuation that the girl had been leading him on, and had wanted to do these things.
The court heard he had previously admitted sexual activity with a child between July 1st 2016 and July 31st that year, inciting a child to commit a sexual act between August 1st and November 21st that year, and sexually assaulting her on at least six different occasions between August 8th and November 21st.
Jenkins also admitted a further charge of sexual assault by penetration which took place between August 1st and November 21st.
During a statement before the sentencing, the girl’s mother said her behaviour had changed, and that she has become suspicious of any physical contact.
The court also heard he had a historic, similar conviction.
Rebecca Bradberry, defending, said her client had “difficulties” and was barely able to read and write and was showing symptoms of early onset dementia. “He knew that what he was doing was wrong,” she said. “There is some hope that he can come to terms with and acknowledge his offences.”
And she added that Jenkins had led a “sad and isolated” life, adding: “He is truly sorry and he has done all he can to try and spare the victim any further distress. He hopes in time that she can recover,” she said.
David Ticehurst, the judge in the case, told him: “At 67-years-old, towards the end of your life, you have continued to offend further. This was an abuse of trust and your actions have clearly caused immense difficulties and damage to that little girl. You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. It is abundantly clear to me that having befriended this family, you chose to abuse a young girl. That at times you suggested she was to blame is a very poor reflection on you. You were entirely responsible for your actions.”
Jenkins was sentenced to two years for two counts of sexual assault, six years for inciting a child to commit a sexual act, and eight years for sexual assault by penetration, all to run concurrently. He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the rest of his life and ordered to pay £170 costs.
An NSPCC spokesman said after the sentencing: “This abhorrent behaviour toward a vulnerable young girl – aged just 7 – will have had a huge impact on her, and the effects are likely to continue into her adult life. Jenkins is now rightfully behind bars, where he cannot hurt any other children. His lifelong sexual harm prevention order must be effectively enforced on his release to ensure he cannot destroy any more childhoods.”
“Any adult worried about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, while children can call Childline on 0800 1111.”
