A Margate sex offender has been jailed for 10 years for indecently assaulting a girl in the 1980s.
Andrew Wilkes, 59, of Gresham Avenue, preyed on his victim’s low self-esteem before carrying out the abuse.
On Wednesday (February 19) he was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court and was sentenced on Thursday.
Kent Police was first made aware of Wilkes’ crimes in 2016 when the victim came forward and reported offences from the early 1980s. Wilkes had been living in Ramsgate at the time of the offences and the victim was aged under 16.
DC Lee Goodey, Kent Police’s investigating officer, said: “Wilkes’ offending has had a long-term impact on the victim which continues to this day.
“I would like to praise her bravery during the investigation and the trial and I hope the fact that Wilkes has been brought to justice will bring her some comfort.
“Kent Police will always fully investigate reports of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, and I urge anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to report them.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “In speaking out against Wilkes, this woman has shown enormous courage and helped to bring her attacker to justice.
“We want survivors of child sexual abuse to know they will be listened to, regardless of how many years have passed since the offences took place, or who the abuser is.
“They can speak in confidence to trained counsellors at the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, while Childline is there for young people on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk.”