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A 59-year-old man has been found guilty of sexual assault after touching a young girl while he thought she was sleeping in his home.
Manuel Amaral Mila had already pleaded guilty to making indecent images of a child.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
The Royal Court heard that the offences came to light when a young female told someone what had happened while she was at Mila’s residence in March 2023.
She said that he had touched her while he thought she was sleeping.
During interviews, police discovered that something similar had also happened on a separate occasion to another young female.
Mila was arrested for the offences and his mobile phone was seized and examined. Several indecent images were located.
In January 2024, Mila was charged with three counts of making indecent photographs of a child and three counts of unlawful sexual touching of a child.
He pleaded guilty to the three indecent image charges, and has been in custody awaiting trial for the sexual touching charges since May 2024.
Mila was today found guilty of all charges in the Royal Court.
Detective Constable Carla Garnier from the Public Protection Unit said: “The young victims in this case have shown immense courage in coming forward to report these incidents.
“We are committed to investigating and prosecuting all sexual offenders and encourage anyone who has been the victim of a crime of this nature to report to police.
“There are a number of agencies who are in a position to offer support and guidance through all stages of the criminal justice process.”
Islanders affected by any of the issues raised in this report can contact any of the following:
SARC at Dewberry House provides expert independent and confidential support to victims of sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 888222. Email: dewberryhouse@gov.je
Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors and their families. Tel: 01534 482800. Email: help@jaar.je
Freeda (formerly Jersey Women’s Refuge) offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Tel: 0800 7356836. Email: hello@freeda.org.je
Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Tel: 0800 7351612. Email: victimsfirstjersey@gov.je
Samaritans offer a confidential and non-judgemental listening ear to people who need to talk. Tel: 116 123 free from any phone or 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply).
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