A teenager who was the victim of a sexual assault was praised by a judge during the sentencing of the man who attacked her.
The girl had to give evidence to a jury in the trial of Jonathon Wignall at Preston Crown Court.
When jailing Wignall in a hearing last week, Judge Graham Knowles KC, commended the victim for her bravery and confidence in the manner she gave her evidence.
She was 15 when Wignall assaulted her at a house in Preston in 2023, that leading to an investigation by detectives from Lancashire Police.
In a Victim Personal Statement read to the court, the girl spoke about having to give evidence at the trial.
She said: “I wish you’d told the truth from the very start.
“Not only did you put me through such an horrific thing when I was only 15 years of age, but by lying and trying to avoid the truth at every opportunity, you have dragged this out through a trial and forced me to give evidence in a court room and tell a room full of strangers what you did to me.
“Fortunately, I knew I was strong enough and once I’d stopped shaking in the witness box, I knew it was worth it to get justice for what you’d done.”
Wignall, 35, formerly of Stocks Road, Preston, was found guilty of sexual activity with a child and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child after a trial in February.
Appearing back in the dock for sentence last Thursday (26th March), he was jailed for four years and six months, made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years, and put on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Detective Constable Chris Mills of the south division’s Child Protection Team, said: “Wignall behaved in a disgusting way towards his young victim, and she then had to relive her experience by giving evidence at the trial.
“Lancashire Police take all reports of sexual assaults seriously, we will support victims and investigates reports thoroughly in a bid to bring offenders to justice.”
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