June 2002 Jailed for indecent assault on girl, eight A MAN who indecently assaulted an eight-year-old girl in his caravan has been jailed for nine months. Duane Jones, 19, was living in the mobile home in Gorse Hill, Swindon, when the child, whose parents he knew, used to visit him. Prosecutor Nick Hawkins told Swindon Crown Court that the child got into the habit of going to see Jones the caravan in September and October of last year. The girl’s mother became suspicious that something was wrong, and when Jones was confronted he told police officers: “It just happened the once, I did it to her just the once.” Mr Hawkins said Jones admitted touching the girl for about 30 seconds. The prosecutor added: “She became upset so he removed his hand. “That is what he said in interview and maintains.” At a previous hearing, Jones, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to one charge of indecent assault. Roger Davey, defending, said: “One can only hope that there will be no long term harm for the girl involved. “We are clearly dealing with a young man who needs help. “I urge that he should be given the opportunity now to be given the help on offer to avoid him offending again in the future.” Mr Davey said Jones would be given a hard time by other inmates if jailed, and would not get to complete sex offenders’ courses as he would with a probation order. He added: “He would come out in a short time and he may be more likely to reoffend than he was in the first place. “He would like to give his heartfelt apologies to the girl and her family for what he has done. “I know we hear apologies a lot in court but that had been volunteered by him. “He can hardly believe the way he behaved with an eight-year-old girl.” Jailing him, Judge Tom Longbotham said: “In the pre-sentence report there are matters of concern. You can’t explain your actions. “You deny any form of sexual attraction and the report says that until such time as you can figure out why you did it and what triggers it you will be at high risk of committing further offences and a high risk of harm. That is very serious.” Jones was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years