Former Army serviceman who indecently assaulted girl in Lakes is sentenced

A retired Army serviceman who indecently assaulted a young girl in the Lake District during the 1980s has been sentenced by a judge.

Douglas Brian Edmund Pullen, 67, was handed a suspended jail term at Carlisle Crown Court today (THURS).

Pullen – said both to have been in the Army and served abroad – admitted indecently assaulting the girl, who was aged 11 or 12 years old at the time, in the Windermere area.

Prosecutor Richard Haworth told Judge Barbara Forrester the defendant’s victim had “bottled matters up” before reporting his criminal conduct many years later.

She had since spoken of “difficulties she has had throughout her life”.

Pullen had no previous criminal convictions. However, the court heard he had received a caution, in 2001, from Ministry of Defence police in respect of two indecent assault offences involving a different girl.

Hearing of Pullen’s remorse and how he was caring for a wife suffering from ill health, Judge Forrester suspended a 12-month jail term for two years.

Pullen, of Newdigate Street, Kimberley, Nottingham, was told he must complete a sex offender treatment course and a rehabilitation requirement. He must also comply with the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order, and sign the sex offenders’ register – both for 10 years.