Former school teaching assistant jailed for sex assault on child under 13
A former school teaching assistant has been jailed for sexually assaulting a child.
Michael Pena-Briggs, 25, who worked at an Essex school, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment on Monday (June 6) – more than three years after he was first arrested at his home in The Grove, Cambridge.
Officers from Essex Police’s child abuse investigation teams (CAIT) arrested him in March 2019 soon after an offence was reported.
Following a “complex and sensitive” investigation, he was charged in October that year with sexual assault of a child under 13.
Pena-Briggs faced trial for the offence at Chelmsford Crown Court in May 2021 but was met with a hung jury.
His retrial began a year later and on May 9 he was found guilty. It took the jury less than two hours to reach the verdict.
As well as a prison sentence, he will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Investigating officer Det Sgt Stuart Pryke said: “Offences of this kind will always be shocking and disturbing, particularly when that person is in a position of trust.
“This will undoubtedly be difficult news for the local community, but please be assured that our teams and partners have safeguarded and supported all those involved in the investigation.
“The victim and their family have shown incredible strength and courage throughout this lengthy and complex case.
“Everything we do, and all the hard work, is for them, to make sure that they get the justice they deserve."
The victim’s family have said: “This has been a long journey but the police and CPS (Crown Proseuction Service) have been unrelenting in their pursuit of justice.
“We are especially grateful to Det Sgt Pryke of Essex Police for his commitment and dedication, and to CARA, the Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse, for their ongoing support.
“We hope that by achieving this significant result, other victims and their families will have the confidence to come forward and work with the police so that more offenders can be apprehended and more children protected.”
If you have been affected or would like to report information, call police on 101. If you would like to remain anonymous you can make a report to independent charity Crimestoppers through its website or by calling 0800 555111.
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. For more information, you can visit their website.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a UK child protection charity focused solely on preventing child sexual abuse. The charity runs Stop it Now! – a prevention campaign and helpline. For more information on how Stop it Now! helps people address their online behaviour, visit the website or call the confidential helpline on 0808 1000 900.
