Dunstable man jailed for child sex offences
A man from Dunstable has been jailed for raping and sexually assaulting a young girl
A man from Dunstable has been jailed for raping and sexually assaulting a young girl.
Matthew Husband, 29, from Bolsover, Chesterfield, who lived in Dunstable at the time of the incident, was found guilty by a majority verdict of rape and sexual assault.
He was sentenced at The Royal Courts of Justice in London on Thursday (22 July) to eight years in prison.
On 23 February last year, Husband gave the girl alcohol, and believing she was incapacitated, sexually assaulted and then raped her.
The victim reported the incident immediately and Husband was arrested shortly after.
In her personal statement the victim said:
“Sometimes I get so sad and scared I don’t want to leave my bedroom or talk to anyone. I am so uncomfortable in a room full of people whether I know them or not. I am too scared to trust anyone.
“But I am trying to get better because I won’t let him continue to ruin my life and my future, and although I am struggling, I will keep on trying.”
PC Benjamin Robertson, from Bedfordshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit, who investigated, said: “Husband denied the offences in interviews, and forced the victim and her family to undergo a trial, and I am satisfied that he has now received a prison sentence.
“The victim has shown courage and strength of character far beyond her young years and can now concentrate on what the future holds for her.
“This hasn’t been easy for her or her family to deal with made all the more difficult by Husband’s refusal to admit what he did to her, but we are supporting her.
“Child sexual abuse is a most horrendous experience – it not only ruins their young years, but stays with them through into adulthood. We will never tolerate this type of crime in our county and will do all we can to support victims and put these perpetrators behind bars.
“If anything has happened to you, no matter how long ago, come forward and tell us and we will do everything we can to get justice for you, and support you.”