abused by the adults they trust.

"This is no way our children should be treated,'' the Wor. Cheryl-Ann Mapp said. "If they (children) can't look to people they can trust, then we are not doing a very good job as adults in this community.'' Her comments came following the sentencing of a man who sexually assaulted his girlfriend's ten-year-old granddaughter.

She sentenced the 38-year-old Pembroke man to two and a half years in prison and recommended counselling.

After reading a social inquiry report on the 38-year-old man, Ms Mapp said she was disturbed by his comments.

"She is three times younger than you. You are a father of three young girls yourself and you considered this girl as a daughter to you. I would hope no other man treats your daughters in a manner you treated someone else's daughter.'' In a court appearance last month the man admitted licking the girl's breasts and private parts but denied having full intercourse with her.

The child, who had been living in the same house as the accused for three years, has since been removed by Social Services and placed with her biological mother.

Ms Mapp said the tragedy of the situation was that the girl had been abused by others in the past.

"She trusted you,'' she told the accused. "Because she had been abused by others did not give you licence to further abuse her.'' She added: "It is no excuse you were drunk. That child was in no position to agree or disagree.''