A care home worker from Ramsgate who denied sexually assaulting a teenage girl in her care has been jailed.
Helen May, 49, of Hopes Lane, was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault on a child under 16 following a five day trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
On Monday (12 March) she was sentenced to 12 years in prison by Recorder Catherine Brown.
The offences took place between 1999 and 2001 while May was manager of a care home in Thanet, which has since closed.
May admitted having a brief relationship with the girl after she had left the home, but always denied having a relationship with her while she was still in her care.
But the relationship with May was detailed in the victim’s diary, which was found by other members of staff at the time.
When she was asked about the entries in her diary the victim denied a relationship with May. It wasn’t until 2016 that she felt able to report the abuse.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Sue Kingsnorth said: “I hope this 12 year sentence will give the victim some closure. She will undoubtedly carry the emotional scars for the rest of her life, yet she showed tremendous courage in reporting the abuse.
“I also hope the sentence will give May time to reflect on her actions. She was employed to look after the children in her care. Instead she abused her position of trust time and again, taking advantage of a vulnerable girl for her own sexual gratification.
“Kent Police takes all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously, no matter how long ago they took place. We have teams of specialist officers who work tirelessly to ensure that offenders do not evade justice.
“I hope other victims of this type of abuse will have the confidence to come forward, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with the utmost care and understanding.
“I also hope that this substantial sentence shows offenders just how seriously the courts take sexual offences against children.’
