MILTON KEYNES LORRY DRIVER SIMON MERIVALE AVOIDS JAIL FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In May 2014, Simon Merivale, a 43-year-old lorry driver from Milton Keynes, was spared imprisonment after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl over a decade earlier.

The court heard that Merivale, of Aylesbury Street West, Wolverton, touched the girl over her underwear on one occasion, justifying his actions by stating: “It is normal to do this.”

He was found guilty at Luton Crown Court of one count of indecent assault believed to have taken place sometime between 2002 and 2004. Merivale had no prior criminal record.

During court proceedings, defence lawyer Anne Faul stated that Merivale did not accept he committed the assault, but acknowledged the jury’s verdict. She described him as “a torn man who is devastated by this.”

Judge Laura Harris sentenced him, noting that “the impact on the victim was significant.” Despite this, she decided to suspend the jail term because of his clean record and lack of additional offences.

Merivale received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he must register as a sex offender for seven years and comply with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that prohibits contact with anyone under 16.