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A Marden man told a child they were in a ‘special relationship’ in an effort to prevent them reporting sexual abuse.
Michael Numan has now been jailed after his young victim bravely told relatives of their ordeal.
Numan carried out the abuse in April 2023 and was arrested just days later.
An investigation revealed the child was repeatedly targeted over the space of a few hours and warned they were in a private relationship which shouldn’t be divulged to anyone.
Numan, of Seymour Drive, Marden was charged with four offences relating to the sexual abuse of a child and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.
Judge Catherine Moore told the 58-year-old that his actions had caused ‘devastation’ to the victim’s family.
She sentenced him on 20 January 2025, to seven years and two months’ imprisonment.
Detective Constable Emma Coghlan said:
‘Michael Numan abused trust shown in him in the worst possible way, in order to exploit a child for his own gratification. ‘Sex offenders like Numan cause incalculable damage, stealing their victim's innocence and childhood. He now has to pay the price and hopefully this prison sentence will give him time to fully comprehend the devastating impact of his abhorrent behaviour. ‘When he is eventually released from prison he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order containing strict measures to reduce the risk of him reoffending in future.’