A man was today starting a four and a half year jail sentence for indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl and taking indecent photographs of his young victim.

Laurance Oliver, 44, of Second Avenue, Canvey, was sentenced at Southend Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to five charges relating to offences committed between August 1 2002 and March 20 2003.

Oliver was arrested after police searched his home and found a digital camera with saved indecent images of a young girl.

The photographs showed the girl in various lewd positions including one with the girl performing a sex act on Oliver.

Christine Hayes, prosecuting, said the girl told police in interview, that Oliver had threatened to hit her if she did not do as he said.

Oliver denied any threat of violence.

Judge Dawn Freedman adjourned the hearing while she looked at the photos before deciding Oliver's fate.

The five charges included indecent assault, two charges of possessing indecent images of a child, one for taking indecent images of a child and one for inciting a child to take indecent images.

Published Monday, June 30, 2003

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