Sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl and left her suffering from nightmares.

Man Jailed for Sexually Assaulting Five-Year-Old Girl

Roger Laughton, 33, has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl, leaving her suffering from nightmares.

Laughton, who smirked in his police mugshot after being arrested, denied the offense despite being found guilty by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court. The court heard that the incident occurred in January 2017, leaving the young victim shocked and confused.

Despite pleading not guilty, Laughton was convicted based on the victim's testimony. He was also issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Judge Andrew Easteal, during sentencing, emphasized the significant impact Laughton's actions had on the girl. "It is plain she was shocked, confused and distressed at what you were doing to her," Judge Easteal stated. "It is quite clear that this has had an enormous effect on her. There is no knowing how long and how deeply it will affect her but it was an awful thing that you did to her. It was deplorable. You continue to dispute the verdict in the face of overwhelming evidence. You have not expressed any remorse towards her."

The prosecution highlighted the profound impact on the victim, stating, "A statement from the victim's mother explains the effect she has seen on her daughter. Before this she was happy go lucky and confident. She would speak to anyone. That disappeared after the incident. She changed overnight and stopped talking to people. She has begun to fall behind on her school work and she has nightmares."

Laughton's defense attorney acknowledged the jury's verdict but maintained his client's denial of the charges. "The jury found him guilty of what was alleged," said Michael Cranmer-Brown. "He still denies that. There is very little more that I can say at the end of a trial when he has denied the matter and continues to do so."