Northampton uncle found guilty of sexually abusing young niece over several Christmases

A Northampton uncle was found guilty of sexually abusing his young niece at Christmas time over several years yesterday (Tuesday, February 25).

The man, who cannot be named to protect the victim's anonymity, was charged with numerous counts of sexual assault and activity with a child under the age of 13 a number of years ago.

During the two-day hearing at Northampton Crown Court, the jury heard he inappropriately touched her, forced her to touch him and kissed her on multiple occasions.

But he told her she would be kicked out of the house if she spoke to anyone about it as 'her mother loved him more than her'.

The defendant, who has mental health issues, did not enter a plea but when interviewed by police, he gave them a statement saying he denied all of the allegations.

The jury found him guilty on six of the seven counts he faced. He is due to be sentenced on March 20.

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, explained the defendant would often spend Christmas at his sister's house, where the girl lived.

After an argument between the man and his niece on Boxing Day, the girl locked herself in the toilet shouting to him about how she was going to tell her mother.

Her mum heard the commotion and convinced her daughter to let her in, where the girl denied her uncle had hurt her but nodded when asked if it was something sexual.

The jury was shown a video of the girl crying as she told police what her uncle had done to her on several occasions in her bedroom.

"Most of the time he's drinking as he does drink a lot," she added.

When asked by police how she felt when he would come over, the victim said, 'scared... mainly scared,' before saying she felt 'relieved' when he left after telling her mum.

Appearing in court via video link on Monday, the victim said her mother does not know the full details of the abuse as she is embarrassed.

When asked what she felt towards her uncle, she said: "I haven't thought about it but I guess I'm upset as I get nightmares about it but I'm not sure how I feel."

About the argument which led to her telling her about the abuse, the girl said: "I got upset as he said my mum loves him more than me and would take his side if I told her.

"So I got even more upset and angry, he hit me in the face as he was drunk at the time and I stormed downstairs and ran away crying."

Mr Jones said the defendant gave a statement to police denying all of the offences during his interview.

Jonathan Rosen, defending, asked the girl if she had made it all up because she was angry with her uncle, which she denied.

In his closing remarks, Mr Rosen asked the jury to consider the child may have lied about the incidents as she had an ulterior motive after the fight.

But the jury found him guilty on all but one count, relating to sexual activity with a child under the age of 13, which was discharged by the judge.