Man jailed for abusing pre-teens

2:19pm Thursday 14th August 2008

A 40-YEAR-OLD man from Marlow has been sent to prison for two years for sexual activity with three young girls.

Russell Hannah, formerly of Newfield Garden, was given two separate two-year prison sentences, which will run concurrently.

Hannah admitted to seven charges relating to the girls, all of whom were in their pre-teens when the acts took place.

Hannah was sentenced today at Aylesbury Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charges on July 11.

One of the prison sentences relates to two cases of indecent assault, while the other indictment consisted of two indecent assaults, two sexual assaults and one case of sexual activity with someone under the age of 14.

Katie Mallison, prosecuting, said: "All the girls were traumatised by what happened and there has been a lasting effect on them."

Judge Seddon Cripps said: "Your behaviour must have affected the victims."

Judge Cripps accepted that Hannah's sentence is "certainly far less than those involved will think appropriate".

But he gave the defendant credit for his early guilty plea, which meant the girls involved did not have to give evidence at court.

Warwick Aleeson, defending, said: "He fully acknowledges the seriousness of what he has done and he is sorry for what he has done.

"He is willing to take any help that is offered to him and he said he will never commit an offence like this again."

Hannah had been put on the sex offenders' register for ten years and is not allowed to work with children.

He was also given a Sex Prevention Order.

A further eight charges will remain on file.

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