September 2014 Man who went into hiding after sexually abusing schoolgirl at Bracklesham Bay in 2005 found and jailed A 59-year-old man who sexually abused a schoolgirl and then went into hiding has been jailed after police tracked him down. Michael McCarthy was seen by children assaulting his vulnerable 13-year-old victim in Bracklesham Bay, near Selsey, in November 2005. But after he was challenged about the incident he disappeared. For nine years McCarthy managed to conceal his identity by only taking cash-in-hand jobs and not claiming benefits so officers could not track where he was living. But his picture was shown on Crimewatch in March and people who recognised him as a pub DJ and professional dog walker called police. Officers traced him to an address in Chingford, East London. Police raided his home in Longfield Avenue and McCarthy was arrested and later charged. The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with child and was jailed for 18 months at Lewes Crown Court on September 4. PC Stephen Reed, of Sussex Police, said: “It has taken a long time to apprehend McCarthy but finally justice has been done for his victim and McCarthy’s family. His actions have had a devastating effect on their lives. “McCarthy knew he was wanted by police but deliberately tried to keep a low profile which allowed him to stay out of prison for as long as he did. “The fact that he is now in prison shows that we will not give up looking for someone just because they have been missing for a period of time. “If you are wanted, you should keep looking over your shoulder as we will not give up the chase until we have arrested