St Leonards man sentenced over child sexual assaults

Gary Nash, who sexually assaulted a young girl for around a ten-year period, has now faced justice with a 16-year sentence following an investigation by safeguarding detectives.

Nash, 39, of Tower Road, St Leonards, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on Thursday (September 8), having previously admitted two offences of sexual assault and one offence of attempting to engage in a penetrative sexual activity with a girl under 13.

He was given a 16-year sentence – eight years of which will be served in custody, with the remaining eight years on extended licence. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be a registered sex offender for life.

Detective Sergeant Oliver Bali of the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: "Nash took advantage of his access to the victim to exploit her for his own sexual gratification without anyone else knowing, until earlier this year when she finally found the courage to speak out.

"We started enquiries at once, and swiftly arrested Nash, who admitted all the offences. He would undoubtedly have continued to offend against her, had she not very bravely reported him.”

For information on how to report offences against children and the support available, see the Sussex Police website.