August 2011

OAP jailed for sex abuse

PENSIONER Ronald Carmichael has been jailed for nine years after indecently assaulting two young girls – “ruining the life” of one and causing “extreme damage” to the other.

Carmichael, 75, of Walmsgate Walk, Grimsby, denied one offence of rape and seven of indecent assault.

He was convicted by a jury after a trial at Grimsby Crown Court of the seven indecent assault offences. Some of the verdicts were on 11 to one or 10 to two majority decisions. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the rape matter and the charge will now lie on file.

Caroline Wigin, prosecuting, told the court: “These were serious offences over a long period involving two girls.”

Carmichael took advantage of the girls to indulge in sexual activity with them on a number of occasions. One of the girls had been left so traumatised by her ordeal that it was a long time before she felt able to report it and make an official complaint.

Recorder Euan Duff told Carmichael: “This was repeat sexual offending against two young girls aged then under 13. Your conduct and the damage you have caused is so serious that only a substantial custodial sentence is possible.

“Abuse of this type causes enormous damage to children who are abused.”

He said of the first victim: “You have ruined her life.” The second girl had been caused “extreme damage”.

Carmichael was given an indefinite sexual offences prevention order and was told to register as a sex offender for life.

Craig Lowe, mitigating after the verdicts, said Carmichael had previous convictions, including for dishonesty, but none for sexual or violence offences. It would be his first taste of prison.

He suffered from asthma and would find prison particularly difficult, Mr Lowe said. Carmichael had been in custody since Friday, when the first of the guilty verdicts were returned.