CHELMSFORD MAN ANDREW SQUIRRELL JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In September 2010, Andrew Squirrell, a 22-year-old resident of Dorset Avenue, Chelmsford, was sentenced to two years in prison for engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl.Squirrell, who was a father and worked at Angels Newsagents in Broomfield, Chelmsford, admitted to having had sexual contact with the girl after she skipped school and visited him at his home.
Chelmsford Crown Court was told that he initially struck up conversations with her at his workplace and then continued contact via Facebook, engaging in sexually explicit exchanges, even after her initial messages had been deleted.
Judge David Goodin addressed Squirrell during sentencing, stating, “You have pleaded guilty to a very serious offence.
You were sexually experienced, with a partner and the father of a two-year-old.
You knew what you were about.” The judge also highlighted the context of Squirrell’s employment, emphasizing that although there was no indication he was a predatory individual, he took advantage of an opportunity to groom a minor, aligning with legislative protections for young people.
Prosecutor Lesli Sternberg explained that Squirrell, then 21, met the victim while working at the newsagents, and the pair exchanged phone numbers, leading to further contact.
They met several times at the store and communicated via texts and calls, culminating in a meeting in July of the previous year.
On that occasion, the girl skipped school to meet Squirrell at his residence, where he was living with his girlfriend.
They spent time talking, kissing, and cuddling in the front room, before removing clothes and going to his bedroom, where Squirrell touched her, removed her jeans, fondled her breast, and engaged in sexual intercourse, despite her evident fear.
The court heard that her elder sister observed her in a distressed, “confused” state after the incident, and that there were exchanges on Facebook that were sexually explicit, though the girl’s comments had been deleted.
Sternberg pointed out that grooming had taken place over a period of months, with the relationship developing after their initial contact at the shop.
In his defense, Emma Davenport noted that Squirrell showed remorse, that the relationship developed gradually, and that he suffers from some mental health issues, including previous suicide attempts.
