February 2019 Man sentenced to 12 years in sexual assault case A pensioner whose serious sexual abuse of a young girl led to her suffering lasting damage has been jailed for 12 years. She later said his behaviour had caused terror to her and had the effect of “completely blowing my world”, a court heard. Peter Chesman, 77, of Lambourne Rise, Bottesford, admitted attempted rape, four offences of indecent assault and another of indecency with a child. Nigel Clive, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Chesman sexually abused the girl over a period of several months. “Every time it happened, she would close her eyes and wish it would stop,” said Mr Clive. “This complainant was vulnerable and there was some targeting of her.” The girl, who is now grown up, said in a statement that the “terror” of the historic abuse had never left her and she had suffered continuing flashbacks. “I can only describe this as completely blowing my world,” she said. Chesman, a former bricklayer and site agent, had no previous convictions. Recorder Gavin Doig said that Chesman’s serious sexual offending had caused “damage to the victim lasting a lifetime”. Chesman will be on extended licence of two years after his release from prison. The overall length of the sentence, including the extended licence, is described as 14 years but the custodial part is only 12 years. He must register as a sex offender for life.