Southminster man stands trial for child sexual assault

By Chloe Brewster 16th Jan 2025

The trial continues at Chelmsford Crown Court. (Credit: Google Street View)
The trial continues at Chelmsford Crown Court. (Credit: Google Street View)

A man from Southminster is standing trial in Chelmsford for a sexual assault on a child while working at a Holiday Park.

Charlie Gilbert, 32, of New Moor Crescent Southminster, is said to have assaulted the girl - who was 14 at the time of the alleged incident - while working as a lifeguard at Coopers Beach Holiday Park in Mersea Island.

Opening the case, Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen told the jury the incident took place in 2017, when Gilbert would have been 23. 

The court heard on Wednesday (January 15) that Gilbert locked the girl into a float store cupboard at the holiday park with him, before telling her he was an "undercover police officer" and that she "can't tell anyone what happened."

He is accused of cornering the girl and kissing her on the neck and lips over a period of five minutes. 

Gilbert denies sexual assault. The trial continues.

     

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