Man jailed for child sex offences

A sex offender who targeted vulnerable children has today been jailed.

Daniel Bell, 39, was sentenced today in the High Court at Whanganui to eight years imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of five years, after being convicted of 13 sexual offences against children dating back to 1999.

Bell was found guilty of one charge of unlawful sexual connection; six charges of indecent assault/act with a girl under 12; and six charges of indecent assault/act on a child. He also pleaded guilty to one charge of indecent assault/act with a girl between 12-16.

Senior Constable Tanya Ross says the charges related to offending against seven girls, who at the time were aged between four and 14 years old.

“The trauma experienced by the victims as a result of this offending has been significant, and I know that reliving the trauma by giving evidence has been extremely difficult,” says Ms Ross.

“I applaud them for their courage in coming forward and I hope that today’s sentence will contribute to their healing.”

Bell had previously been convicted, in January 2014, of three indecent assault charges, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

ENDS

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