A North East paedophile has been jailed for three years and nine months after admitting a string of sexual offences against a child. Alby Hunt carried out sex acts in front of the child and asked them to do the same to him, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Hunt told the victim not to tell anyone, Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, told the court. He appeared at the hearing on video link from HMP Holme House to be sentenced on Friday.
Offences admitted
Hunt, who has previous convictions for supplying cocaine, admitted three offences: engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and sexual activity with a child.
Tom Bennett, mitigating, said Hunt "is aware that he is going to receive a lengthy custodial sentence."
Judge's comments
Judge Caroline Goodwin told Hunt that the sexual abuse "was all designed for you to get your own sexual desires addressed." She said Hunt had been "predatory" in his abuse.
Hunt, of Roseworth, Stockton, was jailed for three years and nine months. He will sign the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life and was made the subject of a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). A restraining order was also put in place.
Police response
After sentencing, Detective Constable Anna Liddle from Cleveland Police said the child showed "great bravery" in engaging with all the services "to secure charges against Hunt."
She said: "I hope today’s outcome reassures the victim and their family that we will always take decisive action to protect children and young people from harm, while offering appropriate safeguarding and support throughout our investigations."
"Hunt should now realise that his behaviour towards this child has consequences; he will spend a period of time in prison and even on his release he will be subject to restrictions and monitoring to ensure he keeps to the conditions imposed by the court."
"Finally, I would urge any victim of sexual assault to contact police as soon as they feel able – specially trained officers will listen to you, they will believe you and they will support you."
Hunt will serve his sentence in prison and, upon release, will face restrictions and monitoring under the court-imposed conditions.
