A man convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager has been incarcerated. Paedophile Jamie Gorton, previously of Burnley, abused the girl twice in a single day in February.
The 34-year-old, participating over video connection at Burnley Crown Court on Thursday (December 12), maintained his head in his hands and his hoodie over his face throughout the hearing.
Upon resuming her duties after a brief hiatus, Judge Sara Dodd enquired of Jamie Gorton whether he preferred to cover his face with his hands, to which he affirmed, “yes.”
Before Judge Dodd concluded her remarks, having already informed Jamie Gorton of his sentence, the defendant exited the jail conference room, allowing the judge to complete her concluding statements without his presence.
Lancashire Police issued an appeal earlier this year to locate Jamie Gorton, noting that he spoke “with a Burnley accent” and had connections to Darwen, Blackpool, and Fleetwood.
The offences occurred in Blackpool.
A victim impact statement read to the court by prosecuting barrister Aubrey Samson said the victim had self-harmed since the incident and has suffered from anxiety and flashbacks.
She said: “I can’t believe this has happened to me.”
John Woodward, defending said his client was now receiving the “best medication” for his mental health.
He said: “He feels he’s getting better and feels confident that given time he’ll be able to understand his difficulties and be able to act accordingly in the future.”
Jamie Gorton, now of Osborne Road, Blackpool, and previously of an address in Burnley, has 21 previous convictions for 33 offences, including engaging in sexual activity with a child and failing to comply with notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order.
Jamie Gorton was found guilty of assault by penetration and sexual activity with a child following a trial.
Judge Dodd, sentencing, said the victim in this case was “particularly vulnerable”.
She said: “There has been significant psychological harm. I do not find the harm caused to have been severe, though this is not to underplay in any way the damage you have done to this young girl.
“You are rightly described as being unable to comply with court orders. I have no confidence you would comply with licence conditions upon your release.”
Judge Dodd considered Jamie Gorton to be a dangerous offender and sentenced him to an eight-year prison term with a further five years on extended licence, making a total sentence of 13 years.
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