DANIEL ABRAHAM AND SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN SITTINGBOURNE, KENT
A teaching assistant named Daniel Abraham, who engaged in the sexual abuse of a young girl while working at a school in Sittingbourne, Kent, has narrowly avoided imprisonment.Abraham, aged 35, pleaded guilty to charges of sexually assaulting the girl, an incident that took place more than five years ago.
The court heard that the traumatic experience profoundly affected the victim, to the point where she discarded all photographs taken during that period, revealing the deep emotional scars left by the assault.
The court proceedings detailed that Abraham's misconduct was discovered after he was dismissed from his position at the school following an unrelated misconduct incident.
It was during this investigation that the victim confided in her family about her abuse.
Maidstone Crown Court was informed that despite Abraham’s participation in training designed to teach safeguarding measures and protect students, he continued to exhibit inappropriate behavior.
Witnesses observed Abraham putting his arms around a child, and reporters noted that he was seen staring at children while they were changing clothes, which led to his suspension and subsequent termination.
The prosecutor, Daniel Stevenson, explained that the allegations were reported to the authorities after Abraham’s suspension.
It was only when the victim’s mother was informed of her daughter’s disclosures that Abraham’s actions became known publicly.
In a statement to police, the victim expressed her fear and emotional distress: "After what he did I was scared of going to school, scared of him.
I have thrown away every photograph of that time because I can't look at them.
I feel I have lost a part of my childhood.
I want him to regret what he has done to me." Her mother’s written statement described how hearing the details of Abraham’s misconduct was “heartbreaking.” The defendant was arrested in November 2020 but initially denied the allegations, claiming he had no sexual interest in children, despite having a known interest in teenage pornography.
Abraham’s defense team argued that he deeply regrets his actions and struggles with understanding what led to his conduct.
His lawyer, Craig Evans, emphasized that Abraham looks back with disgust and remorse, acknowledging that his curiosity caused unnecessary harm and distress.
Despite admitting to two sex offences, Abraham received a 21-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
The court also mandated that he undergo specialist treatment to address his offending behavior.
As part of his sentence, Abraham was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service in unpaid work and was permanently disqualified from working with children in the future.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.
Judge Julian Smith remarked that Abraham had been warned multiple times about his inappropriate conduct around children yet chose to act in ways that fulfilled his sexual interests.
As Abraham was leaving the dock, a supporter of the victim’s family made a threat against him, which was promptly met with a warning from a court staff member, underscoring the ongoing tensions surrounding this upsetting case.
