MAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL
A man who sexually abused a child in East Malling during the 1990s has been sentenced to almost five years in prison.Robert Barnden pleaded guilty to carrying out a string of offences, after his crimes were reported to Kent Police in 2015.
Barnden, now aged 61 and of Canterbury Road, Challock, Ashford initially targeted his teenage victim in 1997 and then went on to commit further abuse over a three year period.
He was arrested in August 2015 and an investigation led to evidence which included a mobile phone recording of a conversation, during which Barnden made admissions of his guilt to his victim and to one of her relatives Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court Barnden admitted seven counts of indecent assault of a child.
On Wednesday 29 August 2018 he was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment.
The judge also imposed a 10 year sexual harm prevention order on Barden and placed him on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
