PAEDOPHILE SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILD THEN TOLD HER MOTHER HE'D 'BURN HER HOUSE'
A convicted sex offender received a prison sentence after abusing a teenage girl and subsequently threatening to set her house on fire.Simon Fitzgerald, 29, of Whitford Road, initially denied assaulting the girl, who was under 16 at the time.
After denying any sexual misconduct and being released, Fitzgerald later visited the victim’s home, shouting through her window.
In addition, prosecutor Mark Kellet told Manchester Crown Court that Fitzgerald was observed attempting to break into the victim's residence during early morning hours.
He was also seen again later when the victim's mother discovered an empty petrol canister outside her front door, which she believed Fitzgerald had left as a warning.
Fitzgerald had previously threatened to "burn her house" on Facebook, Kellet explained.
Fitzgerald eventually admitted guilt and was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court.
He confessed on the first day of his trial to charges of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and intimidating witnesses.
He has prior convictions for robbery and burglary.
Following the incident in Bury, Fitzgerald was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, and a sexual harm prevention order along with a restraining order were also issued against him.
His lawyer, Paul Treble, stated that Fitzgerald had previously struggled with drug issues but is now drug-free and hopes to find employment upon release.
Treble added that Fitzgerald is remorseful and recognizes the wrongfulness of his actions.
Judge Timothy Smith commented on the discovery of the petrol canister outside the victim's door, noting that although it contained no petrol, it served as a "threat made to her" connected to Fitzgerald’s Facebook threats.
