Sex pest William Allison, who molested an eight-year-old girl at a fancy dress party is starting a 12-month prison sentence.

Allison - dressed as a Rastafarian at the party - also had his name put on the national sex offenders' register for ten years.

The 57-year-old was found guilty by a jury at Basildon Crown Court of indecently assaulting the youngster, who cannot be named.

Allison, of Bridge Road, Wickford, claimed he was drunk and could not recall putting his hand down the victim's clothing as she tried to sleep on a sofa.

He was told by the judge, Mr Recorder Robin Knowles, QC, that the offence was a serious breach of trust after he was invited to the party.

The judge went on to praise the young girl for giving evidence "with courage and dignity" by a video link-up to the court.

At an earlier hearing she described to the jury how she was trying to take a nap at the party when she was assaulted by "a very drunk" defendant who she did not know.

She became frightened because bearded Allison was falling about in his drunken state.

He looked bizarre in a Rasta wig, a multi-coloured hat, a Caribbean-style shirt and brown make-up paint daubed over his face.

The girl, who was partly covered in the paint, claimed the ordeal got the better of her and made her cry.

She later complained about the defendant's behaviour and he was thrown out of the party.

Allison said that during the course of the day he had downed beer, Bacardi and cocktails.

He commented: "If I drink, anything is possible. I get so out of it that I don't know what I'm doing."

Allison, who was of previous good character, was said by his lawyer to be in poor health and that prison would probably have an adverse effect on him.

Published Monday, April 28, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo