A north Dorset man has been jailed for sexual offences involving a child.

Kerry Walters, aged 42 and of Sturminster Newton, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, October 18 to be sentenced for offences of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by penetration and inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Walters was sentenced to a total of seven and a half years in prison and will be the subject of an extended licence period for a further year.

The victim made disclosures around the abuse in November 2019, reporting that the incidents had occurred around four years previously.

Following a detailed investigation by Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT), Walters appeared in court and stood trial.

He was convicted on Thursday 5 September 2024.

Detective constable Mark Walsh, of CAIT, said: “I want to thank the victim in this case for the immense bravery she has shown firstly in coming forward to report Walters’ abusive behaviour and then the support she has given throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

“I hope that her courage will inspire others who have been the victim of abuse to come forward in the knowledge that they will be supported and we will do everything in our power to ensure offenders are held accountable for their actions.”