DAVID SMITH FROM BLURTON SENTENCED AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In June 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving David Smith, a 61-year-old resident of Blurton, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl and subsequently warning her not to disclose what had happened. The incident, which took place approximately six years prior, only came to light in 2015 when the victim, then a schoolgirl, became visibly upset at school and confided in staff about the assault.

During the court proceedings at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, it was revealed that Smith had initially denied the charges of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. However, on the day he was scheduled to stand trial, he changed his plea to guilty, a decision that was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service. Smith admitted to having inappropriately touched the girl, specifically mentioning that he had tickled her legs and then touched her over her underwear.

Prosecutor Benjamin Lawrence detailed the nature of the assault, stating that after the incident, Smith had engaged in a verbal confrontation with the girl, during which he told her that it was her fault and accused her of pushing his hands there. The court heard that Smith had also warned the girl not to tell anyone about what had transpired, effectively intimidating her into silence.

The victim’s distress was compounded by the fact that she suffered a panic attack at school following the incident. Since then, she has been receiving treatment for anxiety and depression, highlighting the lasting impact of the assault.

It was also disclosed that Smith, who resides on Pembridge Road in Blurton, had experienced health issues in recent years. In 2012, he collapsed and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which has left him wheelchair-bound.

During mitigation, David Farley described the offence as being at the lower end of the severity scale, emphasizing that it was an isolated incident with no prior convictions for sexual offences. He pointed out that Smith had a criminal record from his youth but had not committed any offences since 1996.

Judge Paul Glenn sentenced Smith to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months. The judge acknowledged that Smith’s plea indicated the act was intentional but characterized the incident as spontaneous and brief, with a low risk of reoffending. As part of his sentence, Smith is required to complete a 30-day rehabilitation program and participate in a specified programme mandated by the Probation Service. Additionally, he is prohibited from engaging in activities involving children and vulnerable adults.

Furthermore, Smith was ordered to pay £350 towards prosecution costs. The court’s decision reflects a careful consideration of the circumstances, emphasizing both accountability and the low likelihood of future offences.