GARY LEVITT FROM BARNSEY SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR ABUSING FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN WARMINSTER

In March 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving a soldier named Gary Levitt, who was stationed in Warminster at the time. Levitt, a 31-year-old resident of Elsecar in Barnsley, was found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a four-year-old girl. The court heard that Levitt had engaged in a prolonged period of grooming and assault, which spanned nearly two years, from February 2014 to December 2015.

During the trial, Levitt denied the charges, which led to the young victim having to give evidence against him in court. Despite his denials, a jury convicted him of two counts of attempted rape and a third charge of causing or inciting the girl to engage in sexual activity. Notably, Levitt was charged with raping the girl but was acquitted of those specific counts, with the jury instead convicting him of attempted rape. Additionally, he faced accusations of sexually abusing two other children, but the jury, composed of seven men and five women, found him not guilty of those allegations.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “He was effectively in loco parentis. There is an element of grooming behaviour.” The court was told that Levitt’s actions had a devastating impact on the young girl and her family. Judge Tim Mousley QC delivered a stern sentence, condemning Levitt for his actions. The judge remarked, “You have been convicted of extremely serious offences. I don’t need to repeat the facts in any great detail but you seriously abused a very young girl over a period of time and it culminated in your attempt to rape her.”

Judge Mousley also acknowledged the long-lasting effects of Levitt’s crimes, stating, “I have read the statement setting out what the impact has been so far on her and her family. What the impact will be on her and them for many years in the future is obviously completely uncertain. I am wholly satisfied it will be an impact that is both extreme and long lasting. You took away her innocence. You ruined her childhood.”

He further expressed concern about the emotional scars inflicted on the victim’s family, emphasizing the potential lifelong consequences. The judge concluded that a custodial sentence was inevitable, given the severity of the offences. Levitt, who pleaded not guilty, was informed that he would be eligible to apply for parole after serving half of his sentence. After completing ten years in prison, he would remain on licence for an additional 12 months.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Mousley imposed a sexual harm prevention order and mandated that Levitt register as a sex offender for life. He was also banned from working with children, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the need to protect the community from any further harm.