A magistrate judge has been jailed for 16 months for two years and four months for the sexual abuse of his partner’s two young children.
Judge Judy Groom, of Lothian, pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court to two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, and one count of possessing indecent images of a child.
In court, the 46-year-old told magistrates that he had not done anything wrong, and that he would not seek to appeal the conviction.
The victim’s mother told the court that the case had been “heartbreaking” and that the victim had “no life whatsoever” after the abuse.
She told magistrate Judge Stephen Jones that the court was “frustrating” and said she was “horrified” by the sentence.
He said that “there is no excuse” for the offence, and said the victim’s father, who had been a judge, had been devastated by the whole ordeal.
Judge Jones said: “I have to accept the gravity of this crime, I have to make an appropriate sentence for it, and it is the right sentence.
I am going to make that sentence.”
The judge also suspended the sentences for two further years and ordered that the sentence be carried out in the community.
Judge Groom was previously convicted of a sexual offence in May 2016 and is currently serving a 10-month community order.
He had previously been jailed in 2014 for 14 years after admitting two counts each of possessing and possessing indecent photos of children and possessing a computer.
(Image: SWNS)Judge Jones was joined in the dock by magistrates in Lothians by the victim, his mother, his sister and two of his sons.
Magistrates ordered that Judge Groom be released on licence, and ordered him to register as a sex offender.
Judge James Smith told him: “You are a young man, and I am sorry for the distress you are in.”
Judge Jones ordered that he should not contact the victim or his mother or sister, and he must sign a declaration of non-contact, in which he agrees to take responsibility for his actions.
Magistrates said they would consider a restraining order, which is available to victims of child sexual abuse and their relatives.
Judge Smith said he would make a decision in the next few weeks.
“Anyone who suspects anyone of grooming or abuse should contact the police immediately.” “
More to come”
Anyone who suspects anyone of grooming or abuse should contact the police immediately.”
More to come
