A Crowland man found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 was jailed on Friday for six and-a-half years.
Martin Fawcett, 55, of Cluttons Close, was convicted of the offence, which happened in 2022, after a trial at Lincoln Crown Court in December.
Fawcett was also convicted of breaching an interim Sexual Harm Prevention Order after he failed to let police enter his property.
Passing sentence Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Fawcett his behaviour was “cynical and manipulative.”
Judge Sjolin Knight said his victim, who cannot be named to protect her anonymity, still did not trust males and would go quiet at times.
“You have expressed no remorse and have been shaking your head during my sentencing remarks,” Judge Sjolin Knight added.
Fawcett was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention order which will last indefinitely and a restraining order which prevents any contact with the victim and her family.
The court heard Fawcett represented himself during his trial but declined to give evidence.
Denney Lau, prosecuting, read out an impact statement from the victim’s father.
He described his fears that his daughter would suffer further trauma as she grows up and said his family had been forced to move.
The court was told Fawcett had two relevant previous convictions for engaging in sexual activity in front of a child in 2005 and exposure in 2009.
Hal Ewing, mitigating for Fawcett, told the court: “It is offending he knows he is going to face a sentence of imprisonment.”
Mr Ewing said Fawcett had complied with Sexual Harm Prevention Orders in the past.
“His previous convictions are a long time ago, some 16 years ago,” Mr Ewing added.
The court heard Fawcett was in a long term relationship with a partner who is aware of his offending.
“He will inevitably be monitored by the police on his release,” Mr Ewing explained.
Speaking after the trial Lincolnshire Police’s Det Con Katherine Brennan, who worked on the case, described Fawcett’s behaviour as “sickening and totally unacceptable”.
“Children represent the most vulnerable people in our society and his actions show a disregard for his victim’s age and well-being,” she said.
Det Con Brennan praised the courage of the victim and their family.
“We know it’s incredibly difficult, but their contribution has helped secure a conviction,” she said.
“We will do everything in our power to bring people who perpetrate such crimes to justice.”
