CARL HAMILTON SENTENCED IN MARKET HARBOROUGH FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASE

A man from Market Harborough has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after being found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl over two decades ago. Carl Hamilton, aged 39, appeared before Leicester Crown Court on Friday to face justice for his crimes. The case came to light after the victim, now an adult, took the courageous step of approaching law enforcement authorities in November 2019 to report the abuse she endured as a child.

According to her account, Hamilton first assaulted her in 1999, when she was only three years old. The abuse was not a one-time event; he reportedly engaged in inappropriate touching on multiple occasions and continued to rape her until the abusive acts ceased in 2002. Police investigations revealed that Hamilton, who resides on Welland Park Road in Market Harborough, had a pattern of predatory behavior during those years.

During police interviews, Hamilton chose not to respond to the allegations, refusing to comment on the accusations brought against him. Despite his silence, the evidence presented during the trial was sufficient to secure a conviction. Hamilton was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and three counts of rape. The severity of the charges underscores the gravity of the abuse inflicted upon the young victim.

Detective Constable Aisling McPhillips, who led the investigation, expressed her thoughts on the case. She stated, “When the abuse started, she was just three years old. She was completely unaware what he was doing to her was completely and utterly abhorrent.“ Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Hamilton’s refusal to admit guilt meant the victim had to relive her trauma during the trial. Fortunately, the jury saw through his lies and convicted him. “I hope today’s outcome provides her with a degree of closure and allows her to move on with her life as best she can,” she added.

McPhillips also emphasized the importance of reporting such crimes, encouraging other victims of sexual abuse to come forward, regardless of how much time has passed. The case serves as a stark reminder that it is never too late to seek justice and that the criminal justice system is there to support victims in their pursuit of accountability.