Jail For Man Who Grabbed And Assaulted Child

51 year old man from Rochester is jailed for kidnapping and sexually assaulting nine year old girl

Nigel Farrant, formerly of Hoopers Road was charged with kidnap, inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.  He has been given an indeterminate sentence, and will serve at least 5 years before being considered for release.
 
The incident happened in January in an area near Watts Meadow in Rochester.  Farrant grabbed the young girl before taking her into an area of woodland where the assault took place.  The girl eventually managed to escape and ran away.
 
Farrant was arrested on 16 March in connection with the incident and charged the same day.  He was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday (18 November).  Farrant denied the offences but was convicted by a jury following a trial.
 
Following sentencing, Detective Constable Melanie Riddell said:  ‘Farrant committed a calm and calculated attack on an extremely young and defenceless girl.  Offenders such as Farrant target children as they rely on their young victims being too scared to report them.
 
‘The victim in this case showed an enormous amount of courage and bravery in giving her account to investigators and it was this evidence that enabled us to bring Farrant before the court.
 
‘Nigel Farrant is a dangerous man who preyed on this young girl for his own satisfaction.  We are happy that he will no longer be able to seek out or target any other victims.’