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JAILED: Private tutor who indecently assaulted girl, 8, at her Black Country home

A private tutor who indecently assaulted an eight-year-old girl in her Black Country home during a maths lesson has been jailed for a year.

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John Cattell struck as he sat beside the child at a table in the kitchen while her parents were in a different room of the house.

The 62-year-old ran his hand up a leg of the girl and onto her bottom while squeezing her closer, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The shocked girl told her horrified mother and father what had happened and police were called in to investigate.

Cattell had been privately tutoring the youngster – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – in maths and English for 15 months before committing the offence on December 7, 2014.

He pleaded not guilty but was convicted after a trial and then remanded on bail until yesterday for sentence.

The mother of his victim said in a statement: "We just wanted the best for our children. We trusted this man, believing he understood the boundaries of the job.

"Now we are paranoid. Who do we trust? How do we protect our children without being overbearing? How can you let your children out of your sight without worrying if a person like this can sexually assault a child in her own home?

"No-one should be allowed to prey on children. He should never be allowed to have any contact with a child again. The emotional impact of his actions will be felt for years to come but he has expressed no remorse."

Miss Saleema Mahmood, defending, said: "This was a fleeting, unplanned touching of a young girl. He will find it extremely difficult to cope with custody."

Cattell, from Willenhall Road, Eastfield, Wolverhampton, was sent to prison by Judge Kristina Montgomery QC, who told him: "This was a gross violation of her body and a substantial breach of trust.

"Her parents were ambitious for her and wanted her to excel educationally. Now they have feelings of paranoia as a result of what you did to their daughter. They suspect anybody who comes into the lives of their children.

"You ran your hand up her leg and onto her bottom while squeezing her closer. It may not sound much when described in those words but the immediacy of her horrified reaction and her parents resultant reaction make clear how seriously it was taken.

"You continue to deny any wrongdoing. There is no remorse. You are arrogant and deceitful and think you can act as you wish on your sexual desires."

Cattell, who has a nine-year-old daughter, was put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning any contact with children under 16 without prior permission for five years. He will also be reported to the Disclosure and Banning Services that prevent unsuitable people working with vulnerable groups, including children.

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