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A paedophile who sexually abused a young girl and told her they were in a “special relationship”, in an attempt to avoid his crime being reported, has been jailed.
Michael Numan abused his young victim over the course of several hours in April 2023 before trying to prevent her from reporting the ordeal.
But the brave youngster confided in relatives about what had happened and Numan, of Seymour Drive, Marden, was arrested days later.
An investigation revealed the child was repeatedly targeted and warned they were in a private relationship which shouldn’t be divulged to anyone.
Numan, 58, was charged with four offences relating to the sexual abuse of a child and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.
Judge Catherine Moore told the 58-year-old that his actions had caused ‘devastation’ to the victim’s family.
On Monday, she sentenced him to seven years and two months’ imprisonment.
Detective Constable Emma Coghlan said: “Michael Numan abused trust shown in him in the worst possible way, in order to exploit a child for his own gratification. Sex offenders like Numan cause incalculable damage, stealing their victim’s innocence and childhood.
“He now has to pay the price and hopefully this prison sentence will give him time to fully comprehend the devastating impact of his abhorrent behaviour.
“When he is eventually released from prison he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order containing strict measures to reduce the risk of him reoffending in future.”