A man who was once thought of as a well-respected figure in his community repeatedly sexually abused a girl when she was aged just 12.

Shaun Broomhead, 41, was brought before Bolton Crown Court after admitting to eight counts of sexual assault against his victim over the course of a year.

Over that time, he had kissed her, sexually assaulted her and made her perform sex acts on him.

Andrew Macintosh, prosecuting, said: “She said it would normally last a few minutes and afterwards it would feel awkward because he knew she didn’t like it.”

The Bolton News: The case was heard at Bolton Crown CourtThe case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Macintosh told the court that Broomhead’s actions had deeply impacted his young victim had been, leaving her struggling to trust people and with recurring feelings of anger.

Broomhead, who appeared before the court via video link from prison, bowed his head as testimony from his victim was played.

She said: “All the time I’m just so angry, I just think what did I do to deserve this?

She added: “He just manipulated me all the time, I’m just so angry.”

The girl explained how she had struggled to trust people, especially boys, since then and had found herself falling behind at school.

Broomhead, from Bolton, was finally arrested by police in 2022 and initially denied his crimes until officers played him a video the girl had covertly made of him abusing her.

On seeing the video he responded that he simply "did not know what to say".

Broomhead pleaded guilty at a hearing before Bolton Crown Court in November 2022 to eight counts of sexual assault.

Andrew Pizzey, defending, argued that though he had not admitted his guilt straight away, Broomhead still deserved credit for his guilty plea.

He said that Broomhead, who has no previous convictions, was ‘naive’ in his dealings with the criminal justice systems and was "at sea" following his arrest.

Mr Pizzey pointed out that Broomhead had been a well-regarded figure in the community before his arrest and had built up a business, all of which was now lost to him.

He said: “He knows this is going to result in a prison sentence for him, a prison sentence that he knows he deserves.”

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Recorder Nicholas Clarke KC reminded the court that Broomhead’s victim was a "young and innocent child" that he had "groomed and manipulated".

He sentenced Broomhead to a total of six years and three months in prison.

Recorder Clarke also hit Broomhead with a sexual harm prevention order and a notification order that will be in place for the rest of his life.