A 37-year-old man has been jailed after he sexually abused a girl under the age of 13.

Barry Thrower assaulted the girl in Huntingdon during October 2022. He persuaded her to take part in a sexual activity and, when the abuse was over, made her "pinky promise" not to tell anyone about it.

The following day the girl confided in someone close to her who then called the police.

Thrower, of King Street, Desborough, near Kettering, was arrested but in police interview denied the offences.

He stood trial at Peterborough Crown Court in May where jurors took more than three hours to find him guilty on two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and two counts of causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Keep up to date with the latest news across Cambridgeshire by signing up to our Breaking News email alerts here

Thrower was sentenced at the same court on September 13 and was jailed for six years.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and handed a SHPO until further notice, which will monitor any future offending.

Detective Constable Les Ellmer, who investigated, said: "Thrower's sexual abuse had a huge impact on his victim, and I hope she can move forward and is now able to find some closure from this traumatic period of her life.

"Regardless of when it happened, we will always take reports of sexual offences, including child sex abuse, very seriously.

"Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we have specially trained officers who are there to support victims and bring offenders to justice."

Anyone who is concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence and could be posing a risk to a child, can apply for disclosure information through Sarah's Law. Click here to read more about Sarah's Law.

Anyone who looks out for the welfare of a child can make an enquiry. This can include parents, carers, guardians, extended family, friends and neighbours.