VICTIM WAS ASSAULTED TWICE AS A CHILD
A 72-year-old Portland man has been sent to prison for sexually abusing a relative, nearly 30 years ago when she was a child.
The man who is likely to stand trial in another case being brought by another relative is not being named, in order to protect the identity of the victim.
He was accused of sexually assaulting the girl first when she was seven years old and again when she was 12 years old. On the first occasion, she had gone to stay with her grandmother when the assault took place. The second assault took place when she and a friend visited the man’s home. She was awakened by him having sex with her.
The woman reported the matter to the police after she found out two years ago that she could still bring a charge against him. She said relatives try to stop her from going ahead.
The man pleaded not guilty to the charges of sexual assault and the matter went to trial in the Home Circuit Court..
Last month, a seven-member jury returned a guilty verdict and on Friday the man was sentenced to four years and 11 months on one count and two years and four months on the second count. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning the maximum time would be four years and 11 months.
