A 55-YEAR-OLD paedophile who “groomed” a young girl has been jailed for eight years.
Terence Phillips told his young victim he fancied her and “offered her money for sexual favours” in Wantage during an 18-month period.
He was jailed at Oxford Crown Court yesterday having earlier been convicted by a jury of two counts of sexual assault, one attempted rape and inciting sexual activity with an under 13.
The offences occurred between May 2004 and November 2005.
Jennifer Edwards, defending, said her client denied the charges, adding: “I’ve no doubt the prison sentence will have significant effects on his health and wellbeing.”
Judge Patrick Eccles said: “You offered her money to pay for sexual favours. Having met her you behaved in a way which can only be described as grooming.”
Having described what Phillips, now living in Pembrokeshire, Wales, did to the girl, Judge Eccles said: “All of this will have a lasting impact on that young girl.”
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