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A sex offender who targeted vulnerable children has today been jailed.
Daniel Bell, 39, was sentenced today in the High Court at Whanganui to eight years imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of five years, after being convicted of 13 sexual offences against children dating back to 1999.
Bell was found guilty of one charge of unlawful sexual connection; six charges of indecent assault/act with a girl under 12; and six charges of indecent assault/act on a child.? He also pleaded guilty to one charge of indecent assault/act with a girl between 12-16.?
Senior Constable Tanya Ross says the charges related to offending against seven girls, who at the time were aged between four and 14 years old.
¡°The trauma experienced by the victims as a result of this offending has been significant, and I know that reliving the trauma by giving evidence has been extremely difficult,¡± says Ms Ross. ?
¡°I applaud them for their courage in coming forward and I hope that today¡¯s sentence will contribute to their healing.¡±?
Bell had previously been convicted, in January 2014, of three indecent assault charges, and sentenced to two years¡¯ imprisonment.
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ENDS
Issued by PNHQ Public Affairs.