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Ashford schoolgirl praised at Canterbury Crown Court for fighting off alleyway sex attack with her elbows

A courageous 11-year-old Ashford schoolgirl fought off a sex attack – by lashing out with her elbows.

The terrified victim had been grabbed from behind in an alleyway but managed to get away after giving her assailant “the elbow”.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that when the girl turned around to see the bare-bottomed pervert, he was running away with his trousers by his ankles.

The girl lashed out at the sex attacker with her elbows. Picture: iStock
The girl lashed out at the sex attacker with her elbows. Picture: iStock

Now Marcus Dalby, 20, of Maypits, South Ashford, has been sent to a Youth Offenders’ Institute for eight months after admitting the sex assault in February last year.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor told how despite her ordeal the victim was able to give police details so that an e-fit was made “which produced an image not dissimilar to the defendant.”

She told officers how she had left school with two friends to travel home but was left by herself when she walked into the alley.

Judge Adele Williams. Picture: Fiona Stapley-Harding
Judge Adele Williams. Picture: Fiona Stapley-Harding

“It was as she got further into the alley she heard someone running behind her and felt an impact from behind.

“The complainant then hit out at her attacker with both her elbows and he ran off. She was then able to see him pulling up his trousers as he ran away.”

Dalby, who suffers from learning difficulties, was arrested and initially claimed he was at home of the time of the attack.

But Mr Taylor added that the teenager told officers he had been acquitted of an earlier alleged assault when he was accused of pulling down a woman’s trousers.

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court
The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court

Dalby claimed he was running away from a dog, slipped and accidentally pulled down the trousers – and claimed he was found not guilty in court.

Judge Adele Williams said the schoolgirl in the February incident had been very brave in using her elbows to prevent the attack from going further.

“She was 11. You were a stranger. I have absolutely no doubt she was absolutely terrified. I have read a Victim Impact Statement, which makes plain just how traumatic the effect on her has been and this has been long-lasting.

“I take into account your learning difficulties and your age but only an immediate sentence of imprisonment can be justified.”

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