17 years’ jail for sexually abusing girl
A PAEDOPHILE from Swadlincote attempted to take his own life after the family of a young girl he had abused tried to get him to take a lie detector test, which he refused.
He later pleaded guilty to a number of child abuse crimes and was jailed at Derby Crown Court.
A PAEDOPHILE tried to take his own life after the family of the young girl he abused tried to get him to take a lie detector test.
Derby Crown Court heard how Graham Hackett refused the test when he was confronted by the family of the victim and then took an overdose of tablets.
The 63-year-old, of Linton, survived the attempts but the police were made aware of the allegations he sexually abused a young girl by medics who treated him.
Hackett then had his laptop and tablet device seized and analysis showed how he had Googled terms such as “how to cheat a lie detector test,” “can lie detectors be used in court?” and “can you have personal possessions in prison?”
Now he has been jailed for 17 years after admitting a catalogue of sexual offences against the girl, who was under the age 13 at the time he abused her.
Sending him to prison, Judge Shaun Smith QC said: “You have ruined her young life. She has nightmares thinking you are in the room, she looks under her bed, she said it feels like the nightmares will never end.
“It is impossible for anyone in this court to begin to understand how she must feel.”
Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, said the girl Hackett sexually abused came forward to tell her family what happened to her in June of last year.
He said they went to Hackett’s home in Linton, Swadlincote, and confronted him about the allegation, which he denied.
They then told him they wanted him to take the lie test to prove it but he refused.
Mr James-Moore said: “Mr Hackett took an overdose and ended up in hospital.
“It was the hospital’s medical staff that reported the allegations to the police and the defendant was arrested.
“His electronic items were seized and it was discovered he had Googled terms such as “how to cheat a lie detector test,’ ‘can lie detectors be used in court?’ and ‘can you have personal possessions in prison?.’”
The girl Hackett abused was in court, supported by her family, to see him jailed and Mr James-Moore read out her victim personal statement.
In it she said: “I feel like I have missed my past, present and future.
“I don’t imagine ever to be able to trust a man.
“Thoughts of the abuse just pop into my head and it feels like the nightmares will never truly be over for me.”
Hackett pleaded guilty to child abuse charges including sexual assault, enticing a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing indecent images of children.
Barry Grennan, for Hackett, said his client “has looked into his background for excuses” for what he did to the victim.
He said he suffered a fall in 2006 which stopped him from working and has also suffered three heart attacks and three strokes which have “affected his ability to cope with life”.
Mr Grennan said: “There is some indication that he accepted responsibility because he attempted to kill himself when the allegations broke because he could not face up to what he did.
“He does not blame her in any way, he accepts full responsibility for what happened, he cannot think of any appropriate excuses.”
As well as the 17-year jail term, Judge Smith placed Hackett on the sex offender’s register for life.
Speaking after sentencing, a spokesman for the NSPCC said: “Victims of child sexual abuse can be deeply affected by the horrors they have been subjected to in the past.
“It was incredibly brave of the young girl to report the abuse she suffered at the hands of Hackett and help bring him to justice.
“Hackett’s case shows that survivors of such abuse will be listened to and it is vital she now gets all of the support she needs to try and move on with her life.”
Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000, while children and young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk