Northampton man jailed for sexual assault on child
A Northampton man has been given a 10-year extended sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting a child.
Last updated 30th Jan 2024
Michael Plunkett, aged 66, appeared before Northampton Crown Court on January 9, 2024, where he was given a 10-year sentence comprising five years in custody and five years on extended licence.
On May 18 last year, Northamptonshire Police received a report from the victim’s mother that Plunkett, of Hanemill Court, Northampton, had sexually assaulted her young child the previous evening.
He was swiftly arrested and as part of an investigation by the Force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) he was charged with one count of sexually assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.
Plunkett appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on May 20 where he entered a not guilty plea and was remanded into custody ahead of a crown court trial.
The jury found Plunkett guilty and at his sentencing hearing, Plunkett, who has two previous convictions for sexual offences against children, was given an extended sentence by the judge.
Extended sentences are intended to protect the public from those judged to be dangerous sexual or violent offenders.
Plunkett was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and is also subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which bans him from having unsupervised contact with any female under the age of 16.
Speaking afterwards, CAIU Sergeant Stephen Wells said: “This is a fantastic result against a significant and serious sexual predator.
“Michael Plunkett did not care about the harm he caused to this young child, and I am very pleased to see him receive this significant sentence which reflects the seriousness of his offending.
“I would like to pay tribute to the survivor in this case, and also express my thanks to the investigating officer who worked hard to both support the victim and their family, and to ensure the evidence presented to the jury left them in no doubt of Plunkett’s guilt.”