Totterdown man jailed for sexually abusing eight-year-old girl
McKenzie sentenced to eight years behind bars with a sexual harm prevention order
A Totterdown man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing an eight-year-old girl in 2023.
Matthew McKenzie, 47, was jailed on 17th March at Bristol Crown Court after being found guilty last month of sexually touching a girl under the age of 13 and engaging in sexual activity with her.
The court heard that McKenzie stayed overnight at an address in Bristol in June 2023, where he sexually touched and carried out sexual acts with the girl for his own gratification.
The girl immediately informed her mother, who alerted the police, leading to McKenzie's arrest within hours.
The Impact on the Victim
During the sentencing, a statement from the girl was read aloud, describing the continued impact of the abuse on her life.
"I am feeling angry, sad and scared, and I have been having nightmares about what happened to me," she said.
“Every time I close my eyes all I see is him and also it has affected my school work.
“I can’t trust anyone and I have been feeling worthless and empty…
“When I have these nightmares, they are about everything Matthew did to me. I wake up crying in an absolute panic, fearing that he is coming for me.”
The girl's mother also shared how the abuse deeply affected her daughter's personality and life.
“What Matthew did has affected my girl’s whole life" she said. "I feel absolutely sick about what Matthew has done.
“Matthew has ruined my daughter’s life.
“He has taken her innocence, and made her do something despicable for his own selfish pleasure, which is repulsive.
“He has preyed on my innocent little girl, groomed his way into our lives, so much so that I trusted him to be around me daughter and he betrayed all our trusts…
“Now he has been found guilty, this will prevent him hurting any other child he comes into contact with.”
The mother described how McKenzie groomed his way into their lives and betrayed their trust.
Sentencing Details
McKenzie was told he would serve a minimum of six years in prison before being considered for release.
He will also be subject to a 15-year sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.
DC Emma Parry, from Avon & Somerset Police, said: DC Emma Parry, officer in the case, said: “Both the victim and her family have shown remarkable courage in the face of the most horrendous circumstances.
“We are really pleased to see Matthew McKenzie be jailed for these sickening offences, and that would not have been possible without their support.
“McKenzie abused the family’s trust to carry out the most dreadful abuse of a young child.
“We sincerely hope the conclusion of these legal proceedings can help the girl, with the unrelenting love of her family, can now begin to look to the future because she deserves that more than anyone.
“In this case McKenzie was arrested within hours of the crimes being reported to us and we hope that any victims of sexual abuse who hear this story have the confidence to come forward. We will investigate all reports we receive and seek to bring perpetrators to justice.”