Man, 25, sentenced for sexual abuse of young girl

A 25-year-old man has been handed a four year and ten-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to having sex with a girl when she was just 14-years-old.

Jacob Bristow, previously of Rushden, embarked on the inappropriate relationship in late 2020 when he was 24.

He would meet the girl regularly and following a grooming process, encouraged her to engage in sexual activity and exchange inappropriate messages with him via her mobile phone.

It all came to light in January 2021 with Bristow being arrested by Northamptonshire Police and subsequently charged with numerous offences months later following an investigation.

During the investigation, his mobile phone was seized with indecent images and videos of the girl being found on it. 

Bristow eventually pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

At Northampton Crown Court this week (August 10), he was handed a prison sentence of four years and ten months and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Lead Investigator, Detective Sergeant Jen Jacobs, said: “Firstly, I want to commend the young woman in this case for seeing it through to its conclusion this week – it has by no means been easy and many setbacks have been suffered, but her bravery and determination for justice has been inspiring.

“The sentence handed out will never make up for the harm caused to this young lady and her family but it provides a form of justice that will hopefully aid their recovery from this terrible ordeal.

“At 14-years-old, no one is in a position to be able to consent to sexual activity. Jacob Bristow preyed on this girl and so I am pleased to see him plead guilty and be handed this prison sentence.

“At Northamptonshire Police, we take reports of sexual assault extremely seriously and will always treat people’s reports with the confidentiality and sensitivity they deserve.

“I hope this case demonstrates that commitment and we will continue working hard to bring more people like Jacob Bristow to justice.”

If you have been a victim of sexual assault but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please contact Voice: Voice Northants | Voice for Victims & Witnesses