Paedophile who sexually abused girl, 8, jailed as victim says ‘repulsive’ abuse left her feeling ‘worthless and empty’
A “REPULSIVE” paedophile who sexually abused an eight-year-old girl has been jailed.
Matthew McKenzie, 47, was found guilty by a jury of sexual touching of a girl under the age of 13, as well as two charges of engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 13.
The vile paedo, of Totterdown in Bristol, was put behind bars for eight years after being sentenced at Bristol Crown Court.
McKenzie also will be subject to a 15-year sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.
Avon and Somerset Police said the 47-year-old sexually touched the child and carried out sexual acts with her “for his own gratification” in June 2023.
The child told her mum, which led to McKenzie’s arrest.
His victim told the court she suffers from nightmares about McKenzie, and often wakes up “crying in an absolute panic, fearing that he is coming for me”.
The court heard the schoolgirl used to be a very self-confident child, but the abuse had changed her personality considerably.
The judge read out a statement from the victim, which detailed the effect of the abuse when McKenzie stayed overnight at an address in Bristol in June 2023.
In a statement, the traumatised victim said: “Every time I close my eyes all I see is him, and also it has affected my school work.
“I can’t trust anyone and I have been feeling worthless and empty.
“When I have these nightmares, they are about everything Matthew did to me.”
The child immediately made her mother aware of the abuse, police were called and McKenzie was arrested within hours.
The victim’s mother told the court she felt “absolutely sick” over McKenzie’s crimes.
She said: “Matthew has ruined my daughter’s life.
“He has taken her innocence, and made her do something despicable for his own selfish pleasure, which is repulsive.
“He has preyed on my innocent little girl, groomed his way into our lives, so much so that I trusted him to be around me daughter and he betrayed all our trusts.
“Now he has been found guilty, this will prevent him hurting any other child he comes into contact with.”
McKenzie will serve a minimum of six years in prison before being considered for release.
DC Emma Parry, officer in the case, commended the “remarkable courage” shown by the victim and her family “in the face of the most horrendous circumstances”.
She said: “We are really pleased to see Matthew McKenzie be jailed for these sickening offences, and that would not have been possible without their support.
“McKenzie abused the family’s trust to carry out the most dreadful abuse of a young child.
“We sincerely hope the conclusion of these legal proceedings can help the girl, and with the unrelenting love of her family, can now begin to look to the future – because she deserves that more than anyone.
“In this case McKenzie was arrested within hours of the crimes being reported to us and we hope that any victims of sexual abuse who hear this story have the confidence to come forward.
“We will investigate all reports we receive and seek to bring perpetrators to justice.”
