Man Jailed for Indecent Assault of Young Girl

Clive Manning, 54, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for repeatedly indecently assaulting a young girl. Manning, who lived in Crawley at the time of the offenses, was found guilty on January 7th at Lewes Crown Court of 12 counts of indecent assault against the victim, who was under 10 years old.

The court heard that Manning groomed the girl over a period of months before engaging in sexual abuse. After moving out of the area, he was later identified by the victim in a chance meeting, prompting her to report the abuse in October 2017.

Manning initially pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury. Detective Sergeant Martin Alchin-Gadd of Sussex Police praised the victim's bravery in coming forward.

"The victim was very brave to come forward after all this time," Alchin-Gadd said. "She has lived with the abuse she suffered as a child for a long time before deciding to come and speak to us. Now she has seen justice served."

Sussex Police stressed their commitment to investigating all sexual abuse allegations, regardless of the time elapsed.