Liam Hibberd

A man who tried to manipulate a six-year-old girl into sexual activity under the pretence of playing a game was jailed for 39 months.

Liam Hibberd, 35, of Carlton Place, Ryde, took the child upstairs into a bedroom and told her to close her eyes before attempting to make her touch his genitals

The offence happened in the Ryde area between January 2017 and October 2018. In a victim impact statement, the child described being disgusted by Hibberd and said his actions had left her suffering constant nightmares. She said she could never forgive him.

Hibberd made the girl give evidence before finally admitting his guilt. Prosecutor Tim Devlin told Isle of Wight Crown Court that he changed his plea on the second day of his trial, after both the child and her mother had testified.

Defence barrister Jim Osborne said Hibberd had been “too cowardly” to admit the offence earlier and eventually decided he could not put the child through any more.

Recorder Bromige told Hibberd, who had four previous convictions, that his “conscience had caught up with him”. The recorder praised the girl’s bravery in giving evidence and attending the sentencing hearing.

Hibberd was sentenced on his 35th birthday after admitting inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Alongside his prison term, he received a 15-year sexual harm prevention order, an indefinite restraining order and indefinite sex offender notification requirements.