Carpet fitter jailed for groping 13-year-old girl

AN Oldham father of two who molesting a 13-year-old girl has been jailed for more than two years.

Richard Murry (32), of Lower Dingle, Moorside, indulged in a kissing session with the vulnerable youngster, who had been drinking alcopops, then sexually fondled her under her clothing.

Manchester Crown Court was told he kept in touch by text and repeated his actions four weeks later. The girl’s distraught parents contacted police when they found out and Murry was arrested.

He told officers he had also been drinking, and claimed the youngster had made the advances.

On the day a trial was due to start he pleaded guilty to two offences of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Jailing him for 27 months, Judge Andrew Lowcock told him: “You were some 17 years older than her, and you tried to ensure her silence by telling her to say nothing to anyone about what had gone on.

“Legislation exists to protect young people and these offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.”

The court heard Murry’s actions had a profound effect on the girl. Justin Hayhoe, prosecuting, said the teenager continually thought about what had happened, and even events on TV were often a reminder.

Caroline Patrick, defending, said the trauma of what happened had split Murry’s family.

Murry was jailed for two years on the first count of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and three months consecutively on the second.