A judge said his actions ‘have no doubt caused, if not lifelong damage, then damage for many years to come’
Guy Ottaway has been jailed(Image: Humberside Police)
A scheming ex-soldier sexually assaulted a young girl – leaving her feeling “nervous and scared” – after targeting her and taking seemingly innocent pictures of her and other children while they were playing nearby. Heavy drinker Guy Ottaway was well known as a “keen photographer” and he committed the offences “under the guise of an interest in photography” while watching children playing in the street.
The girl believed that what he did to her was “gross” and it was possible that she might suffer lifelong damage because of it, Hull Crown Court heard. Ottaway, 64, of Lonsdale Street, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, admitted two offences of sexually assaulting a girl under 13 and others of voyeurism and making and possessing indecent images of children.
Oliver Shipley, prosecuting, said that Ottaway often took photographs of children in Hull streets or on patches of grass, despite sometimes being asked not to do so without permission. He claimed that he had an interest in photography and he was known as a “keen photographer”.
He sexually touched one girl on a number of occasions. The offences came to light when she became upset and told her mother.
“It was a sustained pattern of sexual assaults,” said Mr Shipley. The girl later said: “I felt scared when this first happened. I had some days off school because of what he did to me. I think what he did to me was gross.”
Ottaway was arrested in August 2021 and indecent images of children were found on computer equipment. They included two in the most serious Category A and 33 in Category C. There were also six Category C images on a mobile phone.
It was discovered that there were three “upskirting” videos after a phone was put underneath a swing. Ottaway had a caution for making indecent images of children in 2003 and he had a conviction for drink-driving in 2022.
Ben Hammersley, mitigating, said that Ottaway pleaded guilty and the offences happened more than five years ago. “Since his arrest in 2021, there have been no issues with the police whatsoever,” said Mr Hammersley.
“He has expressed bitter regret and remorse towards the victim and those impacted. He maintains that he has no sexual interest in children.” This was often the case, however, with people who felt shame and difficulty accepting what they had done.
Unemployed Ottaway had previously served in the Army and he had been a hard-working man. “He has taken steps to address his alcohol issue,” said Mr Hammersley. “He has not been in work for a number of years.”
Judge John Thackray KC told Ottaway that he committed the offences “under the guise of an interest in photography” and playing with children, including a girl. “Your offending has had a profound effect upon her,” said Judge Thackray.
“You have no doubt caused, if not lifelong damage, then damage for many years to come. She now has trust issues. You made her feel nervous and scared. Plainly, there is grooming.”
Ottaway, who had been on bail, was jailed for three years and four months. He was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and he must register as a sex offender indefinitely.
“That sentence cannot be suspended,” said Judge Thackray. “The offences are so serious that only appropriate punishment can be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.”
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