Maryport Man Jailed After Sexually Assaulting Girl In Her Early Teens

A Maryport man has been jailed after admitting sexually assaulting a girl in her early teens during a single incident.

Craig Dixon, aged 35, appeared before Carlisle Crown Court after admitting three offences of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with the girl. The offences involved Dixon twice groping the victim over her clothing and once underneath her clothing during the incident. He was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to all three offences.

The court heard that the girl froze while Dixon was assaulting her and did not know how to respond to what was happening. Her account was later provided to police during the investigation into the incident. She described how Dixon's hands had gone underneath her top while the assault was taking place.

Dixon initially denied any wrongdoing when he was interviewed by police after the incident was reported. However, he subsequently requested a second interview with officers, during which he changed his account and admitted that he had sexually assaulted the girl.

During that second interview, Dixon accepted the allegations that had been made against him and acknowledged that he had sexually assaulted the girl in West Cumbria. Prosecutor Glenn Gotland told the court that Dixon had accepted what was alleged and had said that he was sorry for his actions.

The case involved three separate offences arising from the same incident. Dixon pleaded guilty to each charge relating to non-penetrative sexual activity with the girl, allowing the proceedings to be concluded without a trial.

Defence lawyer Niamh Leong told the court during mitigation that Dixon was remorseful for his behaviour. She also said that he had taken steps to address his offending, although the court ultimately determined that the seriousness of the conduct required an immediate custodial sentence.

Judge Michael Fanning concluded that immediate custody was the only appropriate outcome for Dixon's criminal conduct. He imposed a two-year prison sentence and told the defendant that he represented a real risk, reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed the offending.

The judge also addressed the issue of whether Dixon had sought sexual gratification from his offending. During sentencing, Judge Fanning questioned why the conduct would have occurred if not for that purpose, making clear the court's assessment of the nature of the offending.

Dixon was described in court as latterly being of Fleming Square, Maryport. Following his conviction and sentence, he was also made subject to requirements that will continue after his release from prison, including registration as a sex offender for a period of 10 years.

Under the notification requirements attached to the sex offender register, Dixon must provide police with up to date personal information during the 10-year period. The requirements are intended to allow police to maintain appropriate information about him following his conviction for the offences.

Dixon must also comply with conditions imposed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The order places restrictions on his behaviour and activities following the offending, with the conditions forming part of the measures imposed by the court alongside his custodial sentence.

The Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements will remain relevant after Dixon has completed his prison sentence. The court's decision therefore places continuing legal obligations on him, with the 10-year registration period requiring him to keep police informed of specified personal details.

The prosecution followed an investigation into the assault in West Cumbria, after which Dixon was interviewed by police. His eventual admission meant that the case was resolved on guilty pleas to three offences rather than proceeding to a contested trial.

The court heard that Dixon's offending occurred during one incident involving a girl in her early teens. The victim's account described her response during the assault, while Dixon's later admission provided investigators with an acknowledgment of the conduct that had been reported.

Dixon will now serve the two-year prison sentence imposed by Carlisle Crown Court, alongside the longer-term restrictions and notification requirements ordered by the court. His 10-year period on the sex offender register and the Sexual Harm Prevention Order will continue to apply following his release.

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