Man jailed for sexually assaulting young girl

A man has been jailed for more than six years after he admitted sexually assaulting a young girl and possessing indecent images of a child.

Andrew Garbutt, also known as Samuel Little, from Beeford, East Yorkshire, carried out the assault in Heckmondwike in 2023, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The 41-year-old's offending came to light later that year when the girl told her parents what had happened, resulting in a police investigation.

Garbutt initially denied one count of sexual assault on a child, two counts of possession of indecent photos of a child and one count of voyeurism, but was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court earlier after changing his plea earlier this year.

Det Con Emily Brattan from West Yorkshire Police said Garbutt "undoubtedly poses a danger to young children".

She added: "I wish to commend the bravery of the young girl in disclosing Garbutt's actions to her family and their courage in coming forwards to report his offending and support the investigation. "

Garbutt's devices were seized as part of the police investigation, with officers finding indecent images of a child and a covert recording of an unidentified woman.

Garbutt, of Bridlington Road, was told he would spend an extended period of five years on licence upon release. He was also made to sign the sex offenders register for life and given a sexual harm prevention order.

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