A 92-year-old man has been jailed after being convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl in the Dorchester area in the 1980s.

Eric Alan Amey of Puddletown was convicted at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 1 October of four counts of indecent assault of a child aged under 12. The offences occurred on one occasion sometime between 10 July 1984 and 10 July 1988 in the Puddletown and Crossways areas.

He was a successful businessman in the local community and was well-known under the nickname of ‘Giant’.

At a sentencing hearing at the same court on Monday 9 November, Amey was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Holly Spillman, of Weymouth CID, said, “Eric Amey has been given a custodial sentence for the crimes he subjected his victim to. This offending has had a profound impact on the victim’s life and the lives of her close family. I hope the fact he has now been brought to justice will bring her the sense of closure she deserves.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim for her bravery in coming forward, reporting these offences to Dorset Police and giving evidence in court.

“I would also like to commend the witnesses who gave evidence at the trial for the strength and courage they demonstrated throughout.

“I hope that the outcome of this case will give any other victims of sexual abuse the confidence to report offences, no matter when they were committed.”