Man, 60, pleads guilty to sexual offences against children

A 60-year-old man has pleaded guilty to multiple crimes relating to sexual offences against children.

Over an eight-month period between December 2020 and August 2021, Tony Jackman, previously of Irthlingborough, gained the trust of a 13-year-old girl by offering her lifts to places and giving her money. This then led to him sexually assaulting her by touching her inappropriately and making attempts to kiss her.

Jackman was arrested on May 6 last year, when the offences were reported to Northamptonshire Police, with the investigation bringing to light other offences that he had committed.

His digital devices were seized and indecent images of children found on them, including photos he had taken himself of the 13-year-old girl and other members of her peer group.

Jackman was subsequently charged with two counts of sexual assault, three counts of making indecent images of children, three counts of taking photographs of children, five counts of recording images under clothing without consent, and one count of voyeurism.

He pleaded guilty to all the offences at Northampton Crown Court on August 9, confessing to capturing the images for his own sexual gratification.

He was sentenced at the same court on December 15, to four years and five months in prison, with an extended licence of four years after being found to be dangerous. 

He was also issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Lead Investigator – Detective Sergeant Andy Shears, said: “I am really pleased that Tony Jackman decided to tell the truth and plead guilty to these offences as opposed to putting his young victims through the trauma of a trial.

“They have shown immense courage in coming forward and reporting this incident to us and I hope the end result provides them with a sense of justice.

“Northamptonshire Police will always show persistence and determination when investigating these types of cases - to ensure the victims’ voices are heard and to bring predatory people like Tony Jackman to justice.”

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or via the Northamptonshire Police online reporting tool at www.northants.police.uk

If you are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965.

Voice is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.