Man jailed for sex attack on sleeping girl

Richard John Chamberlain has been jailed for two years and four months for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl as she slept in her home.

The 39-year-old man had recently been released from prison when he committed the offence, the Christchurch District Court was told at his sentencing today.

Chamberlain stayed up late, cooking himself a meal after a drinking session, before going into the room where the girl was sleeping, and digitally penetrating her.

Judge Jane Farish said the attack woke the girl and Chamberlain left the room.

When he returned to the room and put his hand under the bedclothes again, the girl screamed and woke the household, and when he ran outside, an occupant of the house punched him.

Police found him hiding in a yard nearby.

Chamberlain pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful sexual connection and being unlawfully in a yard.

Defence counsel Richard Peters said Chamberlain had written a letter of apology to the victim but he did not expect it would be well received.

Judge Farish said the victim had been entitled to feel safe in her own home.

Her victim impact statement indicated the offence had been “somewhat of a trigger” and she now had significant issues about trusting males, and was feeling despondent about her future.

“As the report writer indicates she is in desperate need of some positive role models in her life.”

Chamberlain had caused her significant harm, but he could not be blamed for all the on-going problems she faced.

She said Chamberlain had a lengthy list of previous convictions, but none for sexual offending.

She jailed him for two years and four months and ordered him to undertake treatment and counselling as directed. She hoped he would take steps to address his sexual offending and his alcohol problem.