Museum worker sexually abused 14-year-old.

West Cumbrian Museum Manager Jailed for Sexually Abusing 14-Year-Old Girl

A West Cumbrian man who worked in museum management has been jailed after admitting to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. Stephen Jones, 53, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for the abuse, which left the victim suffering from nightmares and a loss of innocence.

Jones, who served as a duty manager at Workington's Helena Thompson Museum, pleaded guilty to eight charges, including sexual contact with the teenager and creating an indecent image of a child. The court heard that the victim's mother first became aware of the abuse when she noticed inappropriate messages Jones had sent to her daughter on her mobile phone.

The girl confirmed the abuse, detailing six instances of sexual contact with Jones. She had documented some of her experiences with him in a journal, describing him as "creepy" and expressing hatred towards the sexual encounters.

Judge Michael Fanning acknowledged the relatively short period of the abuse but emphasized the vulnerability of the victim. He stated that Jones had "stolen her childhood innocence and there is no replacing it."

In addition to the prison sentence, Jones was placed on the Sex Offender Register for life and subjected to a 15-year sexual harm prevention order. A restraining order prohibits any contact between him and the victim.