A 54-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for four years for assaulting a child by penetration in Knutsford.

Stephen Fowler, of Fern Close, Liverpool, was handed a four year jail term and placed on the sex offender for ten years after being found guilty of assault on a child under the age of 13 by penetration.

The incident involving an eight-year-old girl took place in 2005 in a flat Fowler was living in with his family in Knutsford at the time.

The girl reported the assault to the police in 2013, which prompted an investigation.

Fowler was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Monday September 8.

DC Tim Humpage said: “Fowler deeply affected his victim who struggled to come to terms with what had happened. Fowler abused his trust and took advantage of his situation.

“This investigation was started when his victim had the courage to tell somebody about the abuse and support was given to her to help her through the process.

"As a result of this Fowler is now where he deserves to be, in prison. I hope this conviction will in some way help to give her some form of closure.

"I would like to thank her for helping to bring this man to justice. We would encourage victims of sexual abuse to come forward so that they can get the help they need and we can bring offenders to justice.”