Former Royal Navy worker jailed for child sex offences (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Former Royal Navy worker jailed for child sex offences

7:20pm Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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A FORMER Royal Navy submarine worker who molested a little girl and had sex in front of her to 'show off' has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Burnley Crown Court heard Paul Vernon, 53, groped the child and twice had sex with his partner while she was in the room.

The victim changed from an outgoing girl to one who became withdrawn and would lock herself in her room after her ordeals, the court was told.

Vernon, who served many years in the Royal Navy, admitted two charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and one allegation of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration.

The defendant, at the time of the offences and his arrest living in Barnoldswick, was also placed on the sex offenders' register and given a sexual offences prevention order. He had been on remand 235 days.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Gibson told him: "Sexual abuse wrecks lives. These offences cause substantial public concern by their very nature. The offences have had a significant impact on the victim."

Simon Gurney, prosecuting, said when the defendant was arrested he denied any sexual behaviour towards the victim.

He said he had engaged in a sex act in the girl's presence but told police as far as he was aware the victim had not known what was going on. He claimed he had not derived any pleasure from it.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

Bob Elias, for Vernon, said he had had a worthwhile and responsible career in the Navy on nuclear-powered and armed submarines and had qualifications in both trident and polaris.

Against that background his ''inappropriate and morally repugnent' conduct was all the more disturbing and upsetting, Mr Elias said.

The barrister said there may have been an element of grooming in the case, but Vernon did not 'follow through' to having sex with children.

Mr Elias told the court: "Whatever fantasy he's acting out is not one that involves sex with young children."