AN abuser has been jailed for taking an eight-year-old girl’s innocence by touching her bottom during a so-called massage.
Jason Pagan caused lasting psychological damage to the child who was visiting his house in Ashburton when he assaulted her three years ago.
The girl told her mother and a teacher and the police were contacted. Pagan denied any inappropriate touching but was found guilty at Exeter Crown Court in November.
Pagan, now of Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay, denied sexual assault but was convicted. He was jailed for a year and nine months by Judge Peter Johnson.
He was put on the sex offenders’ register and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will restrict his contact with children in the future.
The judge told him: ‘You betrayed her trust. The ongoing harm to that girl is clear. I am told you have lost so much as a result of this case, but the girl has lost her innocence and that is why it must be an immediate sentence.’
Miss Kelly Scrivener, prosecuting, said Pagan started the assault by tickling the girl but then put his hand down her trousers and touched her bottom under the guise of giving her a massage.
She said a victim impact statement from her family revealed she suffered nightmares and bed-wetting and is still affected by the assault three years later.
Miss Emily Pitts, defending, said Pagan describes himself as being ashamed, embarrassed and disgraced and has lost his job, home and relationship as a result of the case.
He has been living an isolated existence but has sought help from a support group and plans to get a job at a factory if his sentence is suspended.