A 38-YEAR-OLD man who would lure a child into a bedroom to “play a game” and make her touch him indecently has been sent to prison for eight years.
The Superior Number of the Royal Court – which convenes for the most serious offences – heard that Davide Romano would take the girl into the room and blindfold her before carrying out crimes against her.
Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam, prosecuting, said that on one occasion the girl could see him undoing his jeans and taking out his penis through the material of the blindfold.
The advocate highlighted that Romano denied the offences and so had put the girl through the ordeal of giving evidence in a trial.
Romano was convicted of two counts of sexual touching of a child under 12, and one of causing a child under 12 to engage in a sex act following a trial in the Royal Court in February this year.
The girl reported what happened to a family member and Romano was later arrested.
Analysis of DNA also later showed Romano’s semen on the child’s sports top.
Advocate Hallam added that the offences could cause psychological harm to the girl when she is older and said a pre-sentence report stated that Romano represented “a continuing risk of harm to pre-pubescent children”.
She suggested a jail sentence of nine years.
Advocate Paul Nicholls, defending, called a nine-year sentence “manifestly excessive”.
Advocate Nicholls said he accepted that Romano would be sent to prison, but pointed out that an offender found guilty of multiple rapes only a few months ago had received a sentence of nine-and-a-half years, and asked: “Can this offence really be said to equate to that level of offending? Of course not.”
Jurats decided that Romano should be jailed for eight years and should be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 15 years.
Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq was sitting with Jurats Dulake, Averty, Le Heuze, Opferman and Gardener.
Following the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Jenny Docherty said: “The victim has been clear and consistent throughout, and I commend her for her bravery in reporting the crime and giving evidence in court.
“Romano took advantage of age and trust in order to sexually offend against the young victim in this case. The attack was opportunistic and serious.
“Sexual offences against children, who are some of the most vulnerable members of our community, are and always will be of the highest priority for the States of Jersey Police, who will always seek to identify and prosecute those who commit these offences.”
