November 2020

Face of sick paedophile who gave girl piggybacks so he could touch her

A vile paedophile gave a girl piggybacks so he could sexually assault her.

Andrew Holland also forced his victim to perform sex acts on him leaving her “in a state of shock”.

The 58-year-old initially denied making his young victim perform sex acts on him, meaning she had to be subjected to the ordeal of a trial.

It was only after his victim had been cross-examined that he admitted the sexual abuse.

He pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual offences against a child, which took place in North Merseyside.

Holland, of Alexandra Place, Crewe, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court to be sentenced for six counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and two counts of gross indecency on a child under 14.

Steven Swift, prosecuting, explained that on one occasion he touched the victim’s knickers and “looked at her and asked her if she liked it” leaving the young girl in “a state of shock and embarrassment”.

Mr Swift explained he would also “give her piggybacks” so he could touch her bottom.

He told the girl “no one would believe her” if she told anyone he had sexually abused her.

In a victim personal statement read in court the victim said: “I feel part of my childhood was taken from me by him and I can never get that back.”

Mentioning Holland’s previous convictions, which were not detailed in court, Judge Stuart Driver, QC, said: “They don’t aggravate this case but deprive him of his good character.”

The court heard Holland has also previously attended a sex offenders’ treatment programme.

Judge Driver, sentencing, said: “What you did had a severe impact on the whole of [her] life.”

The judge took into account Holland’s poor health and the current situation in prisons as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Judge Driver handed Holland a five-year prison sentence and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

He was also ordered to adhere to the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.