GARY KIMM FROM BLACKPOOL AND COLNE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SIX-YEAR-OLD IN BURNLEY

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Blackpool, Colne, and Burnley, Gary Kimm, a 24-year-old man, was spared immediate imprisonment after being convicted of indecent assault involving a young girl. The incident, which took place in Colne, has left a lasting impact on the victim's family and has sparked intense public and judicial debate about appropriate sentencing for such offenses.

During the hearing at Burnley Crown Court, the mother of the six-year-old girl, who was the victim in this case, was visibly distressed. As Kimm was sentenced to two years of probation, she was led out of the courtroom, shouting in anguish, “What should I tell my daughter?” Her emotional outburst underscored the deep pain and confusion caused by the court’s decision.

Judge Raymond Bennett, presiding over the case alongside two magistrates, addressed Kimm directly, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions. The judge stated that individuals who commit such acts must expect to face imprisonment. However, he also acknowledged that Kimm, who had no prior criminal record, had only committed this offense once and had shown immediate remorse when confronted. The defendant had held his head in his hands and repeatedly apologized at the police station following his arrest.

Judge Bennett explained that the decision to impose probation rather than jail was based on the belief that, in the long term, Kimm would benefit more from supervised rehabilitation. He pointed out that a prison sentence would likely deny Kimm access to the help and support provided by the probation service, which could be crucial in preventing future offenses. The judge stated, “We think in the long term the lesser risk lies for young children from you if we adopt the course suggested by the probation officer, rather than sending you to prison, where you would receive little or no help.”

At the time of the offense, Kimm was residing in Colne, but he now lives on Henry Street in Blackpool. As part of his probation conditions, he is required to live at an approved address, avoid contact with his victim, and refrain from any contact with children under 16. The court also mandated that Kimm must not have any contact with the girl or her family.

Prosecutor Jonathon Ayers detailed the circumstances of the assault, stating that Kimm had committed the act in the presence of a young boy. The girl later confided in a relative about what had happened, which led to Kimm’s confrontation and subsequent police interview. During questioning, Kimm initially claimed that he had only tickled the girl and that the situation had “progressed” beyond that.

Defense lawyer Mark Stuart expressed remorse on behalf of Kimm, emphasizing that his client wished to apologize to the girl and her family. He acknowledged that such apologies can often be insincere but argued that in this case, Kimm’s remorse appeared genuine. Stuart highlighted that Kimm was aware of the gravity of his actions and understood that he was likely to face imprisonment. He maintained that probation was in the best interest of the community and that Kimm was committed to undertaking the necessary work to prevent any recurrence of such behavior.

Ultimately, the court’s decision reflected a balance between punishment and rehabilitation, with the hope that supervised support would help Kimm address his conduct and reduce the risk to other children in the future.