Jail for Brierfield man after sex abuse of girl (3)

Burnley Crown Court heard how Robert Penman (28), of Arthur Street, Brierfield, “left the victim frightened and terrified of what might happen” during the incident some years ago.

He had threatened to slit the victim’s throat after the police were called, but said he never intended to follow his threats through.

He was found guilty of one count of indecent assault and one count of making a threat to kill, and was cleared of six other counts of indecent assault, and two counts of gross indecency with a child.

He had denied the allegations.

Penman, who has suffered with depression, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years, and was given a 10-year sexual offences prevention order.

Defending, Miss Lisa Robert said that the “one-off offence” occured due to Penman’s “own immaturity”.

Penman, who was said to have “suffered” since people heard of the allegations, had never been to prison and had no previous convictions for sexual offences.