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Paedophile convicted as two-year-old becomes youngest person ever to give evidence | Paedophile convicted as two-year-old becomes youngest person ever to give evidence |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A two-year-old has become the youngest person to ever give evidence after her testimony led to the conviction of a paedophile, it has been reported. | A two-year-old has become the youngest person to ever give evidence after her testimony led to the conviction of a paedophile, it has been reported. |
Hours after being abused by Matthew Carter, 45, the toddler told her parents about the incident – who then contacted the authorities. | |
An expert assessed the child to determine whether or not she would be capable to give evidence and outlined which questions should be asked. | An expert assessed the child to determine whether or not she would be capable to give evidence and outlined which questions should be asked. |
Specially trained police officers set up a video interview and, after using some toys to build a rapport with the toddler, she demonstrated on a piece of paper where she had been abused, according to The Sun. | |
Very few questions were needed as the child was able to provide clear responses. | Very few questions were needed as the child was able to provide clear responses. |
The evidence was so strong that, Carter, a father-of-three from Norfolk, confessed to the crime before the trial. | The evidence was so strong that, Carter, a father-of-three from Norfolk, confessed to the crime before the trial. |
Detective constable Natalie Riseborough, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “Hearing a victim’s account of the abuse they were subjected to is always distressing. We are committed to carrying out a full and thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.” | |
A spokesman for Intermediaries For Justice said: “A lot of perpetrators think they can get away with offences on small children because they are too young to explain what happened. | |
“But this proves young people can give evidence that if acted upon quickly and handled correctly can lead to convictions.” | “But this proves young people can give evidence that if acted upon quickly and handled correctly can lead to convictions.” |
Carter has been given an 11-and-a-half-year sentence for one rape charge of a girl under the age of 13 and three charges of making indecent images of children. |
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