Shaun Hewer, aged 63, of Ann’s Hill Road, Gosport, Hampshire, was sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment (54 months) at Portsmouth Crown Court after being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault against an eight-year-old girl.
The criminal investigation commenced after a member of the public witnessed Hewer sexually abusing the child and reported the matter directly to Hampshire Constabulary.
The court heard that Hewer believed he had isolated the young victim before carrying out physical assaults involving kissing and sexual touching.
In personal impact evidence heard during proceedings, the child’s mother described how the offences devastated the eight-year-old girl’s emotional well-being, stripping away her confidence and causing her to become mistrustful of those around her.
The witness who observed the attack described being significantly distressed by the incident, but immediately took steps to intervene and protect the child from further harm.
Hewer pleaded not guilty to the indictment, but following a trial, the jury convicted him of:
• Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
Sentencing Hewer, Judge Tim Mousley QC observed that his intention to abuse the young victim was unmistakable, handing down a total custodial sentence of four years and six months.
Release Calculation: Under UK sentencing legislation governing sexual offences, Hewer was required to serve two-thirds (36 months / 3 years) of his 54-month sentence in prison custody before becoming eligible for automatic statutory release on licence. His projected release date fell three years from his sentencing date, whereupon he remained subject to strict licence supervision in the community for the remaining 18 months of the term.
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