Man jailed for sexual abuse of young girl

A man who sexually abused a girl from the age of seven or eight has been jailed for 15 years and given an extra year on licence.

Joel Hanby abused the girl known to him and, over a span of years, "utilised his position of trust to perpetrate inexcusable, abhorrent abuse", Surrey Police said after he was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court.

The 43-year-old, from Frimley Green, was arrested after the girl reported the abuse to a teacher at school in March 2023. Police said he later claimed she was lying.

Hanby was convicted by a jury of two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13.

After Hanby was arrested, police interviewed him three times.

Officers said he sought to shift blame from himself, citing a drinking problem, suggesting one of the girl's friends had persuaded her to lie, and claiming she lied more than most children.

Det Con Kiki Phillips, who investigated the case, said the girl had shown "bravery and resilience" throughout the investigation and the court proceedings.

She said: "As a young child, she summoned the courage to make a report of abuse that she had suffered at the hands of Hanby.

"Her compelling and detailed evidence ensured he was sent to prison immediately after the jury's verdict, where he will be unable to cause any further harm to children."

In a statement for the court, the girl's mother described the impact of the abuse on her daughter and how it affected her sleep, mood and relationship with her family.

Phillips said she hoped the girl excelled in achieving all of her ambitions - without Hanby and his actions holding her back.

She said her thoughts were with the girl's family as they moved on from this "distressing period of their lives".

During sentencing, Hanby was also made subject to notification requirements indefinitely.

He was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order preventing contact with the victim or her family. Both remain in force until further order.

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