Social worker jailed for abuse of child

A SOCIAL worker from Broadstairs has been jailed for four years after admitting sexually abusing a girl.

Michael Pointon, 42, of Prince Andrew Road, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday for sentencing for a number of offences, including indecent assault and gross indecency.

The court heard that in November last year, Pointon, who worked in mental health, telephoned a friend to say he had touched the girl and forced her to touch him when she was between eight and nine years old. He then went to Margate Police Station to tell police officers.

The victim is now 17.

The investigating officer, DC Kirsty Verier, said: “This girl had her childhood disrupted and disturbed by an individual who saw her as easy pickings and was intent on his own sexual gratification. It is testament to her spirit that she has grown into a strong woman.

“This case is an example of how Thanet’s child protection team and social services work together. Regardless of a person’s occupation and public facade, there is no hiding place for such criminality and this demonstrates every case will be thoroughly investigated.”

Pointon has also become the subject of an sexual offences prevention order, with a number of restrictions once he has served his sentence, and he will be on the sex offenders’ register.