GRAVESEND PAEDOPHILE MATTHEW UNDERWOOD SENTENCED FOR ABUSING FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Gravesend, a man named Matthew Underwood has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of heinous sexual offenses against a young girl. The incident came to light in May 2014 when the victim, a five-year-old girl, confided in a relative about a troubling secret she was not supposed to share.

According to reports, the young girl revealed that Matthew Underwood, aged 34 at the time, had subjected her to sexual abuse. She described how he had made her touch his genitals and had performed sexual acts on her. The girl, in a note later discovered, referred to Underwood as a “dirty man,” indicating her understanding of the severity of what had happened to her. Her initial disclosure prompted an investigation, leading to Underwood’s arrest.

During police interviews, Underwood initially denied any sexual contact with the girl. However, the situation took a significant turn when, on the day his trial was scheduled to commence, he admitted to four counts of sexual assault and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. Despite this, he maintained his innocence on two charges of rape and four charges of assault by penetration, which were subsequently left on the court’s file.

Judge Philip St. John-Stevens presided over the case at Maidstone Crown Court and sentenced Underwood to a series of concurrent prison terms ranging from four to nine years. The judge emphasized the difficulty in assessing the full impact of Underwood’s actions on the young victim, stating, “Any harm caused may be very long-standing, and it is impossible to assess the impact of your crime on someone so young.” He further added, “It must be understood that whatever sentence I pass is not meant to compensate for the anguish upon that young child or her mother. The effect one does not know and cannot be determined.”

Following his release from prison, Underwood, who was formerly residing in Gravesend but now has no fixed address, will be required to sign the sex offender register indefinitely. Additionally, he was subject to a sexual offences prevention order and prohibited from working with children.

Prosecutor Simon Stirling recounted that after the girl confided in a relative, she later disclosed the abuse to others. She told police that Underwood had pulled down his jeans, exposed himself, and coerced her into performing a sexual act. When asked about her feelings regarding the incident, she described it as “disgusting.” The court was also informed that Underwood performed a sexual act on the girl himself and had told her to keep the abuse a secret.

The victim’s mother provided a victim impact statement, revealing that her daughter is now suffering emotionally, experiencing night terrors and bed-wetting as a result of the trauma.

Defense lawyer James Martin highlighted that Underwood’s guilty plea was a mitigating factor, as it spared the young girl from having to testify in court. He also noted that Underwood felt remorse and shame for his actions and had attempted to take his own life while on remand awaiting sentencing. “He accepts what he has done was wrong and is deeply ashamed of his actions,” Mr. Martin stated, emphasizing the gravity of the case and the profound impact on the victim and her family.