A COTSWOLD man who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl over a four month period has been jailed for two years and eight months today.

Henry Scott, 24, of Bagpath, near Tetbury, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to three charges of having penetrative sex with the girl, engaging in sexual communications with a child and possessing indecent images of the girl in all three categories of seriousness.

The court heard a statement from the girl, now 17, describing how Scott's abuse has left her suffering panic attacks, poor sleep and problems with concentrating on GCSE studies at school. She said she felt like a 'bomb had gone off' in her life.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Henry Scott. Pic: Gloucestershire Constabulary

The court was told that when arrested Scott denied any sexual activity with the girl. The offences occurred between February 2018 and May 2018.

In a statement, the girl said: “This is something that has caused a ripple effect throughout my entire family.

“This past year has been so difficult that I have not been able to focus on anything because I knew this case was pending.

“I used to be happy, confident but I became so withdrawn that I doubted my own ability that I would be unable to succeed at anything in life.

“I am standing up for myself so this cannot happen to another child. This kind of crime ruins lives and I feel that my teenage years have been tainted by what he has done.

“I am lucky to have a supportive family and I hope we all get through this together in time.”

Katherine Blackwell, defending, said: “Scott should have known better. He had been warned about socialising with people under the age of 16.

“Scott has been diagnosed with having autism spectrum disorder which causes problems with social interaction and communication.

“He has also been diagnosed with pathological demand disorder which means he is unable to understand boundaries. He is unaware what is, and what isn’t acceptable."

Judge Ian Lawrie QC told Scott: “You were aged 21/22 when these offences were committed. These nine offences were regular and consistent while the victim was aged between 13 and 14.

"One of my concerns is that you were cautioned seven months prior to these offences for meeting up with a 13-year-old girl on a number of occasions and being warned not to do so in April 2016.

“I accept that you have been diagnosed with a number of medical problems which means you have borderline cognitive function which leads you to being child-like and immature.”

The judge sentenced Scott to two years and eight months imprisonment and subjected him to a sexual harm prevention order for seven years as well as a order to sign the sex offenders’ register for the same period.