Convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a minor.

Man Jailed for Sexually Assaulting Child

Christopher James Medes, 33, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. Medes, whose address was given as Old Road West, Gravesend, denied the charges but was found guilty following a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court in July.

The jury found him guilty of engaging in sexual (non-penetrative) activity with a minor and three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Medes was also made subject to a serious harm prevention order to remain in place indefinitely and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The victim, who spoke out about the abuse she suffered as a child, told the court how numerous visits to the police station to report the crime and countless phone calls had left her "feeling dirty" as she waited years for her abuser to be brought to justice.

In her victim impact statement, the woman described how she had suffered depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder following the ordeal. "I have had to explain my abuse to many strangers," she said. "Imagine being a child, a little girl and having to explain sexualized abuse to police officers, psychologists, counsellors, and family members."

"It was embarrassing, degrading and left me feeling dirty every time. Waiting for years and being forced to go through a court case because my abuser refused to admit what he had done is a trauma that I will never recover from."

But following the verdict and her abuser's conviction, she said she could now "stand proud." "I was believed," she said. "Twelve strangers, members of the jury took a short time to unanimously believe me, believe the truth, and I will forever be thankful for that."