A man from Hemel Hempstead who threw bleach over a young girl has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Dennis Dowton, 29, from the Grovehill area, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial at St Albans Crown Court earlier this month.
Jurors heard that the assault took place on Tuesday, October 14, last year, and involved Dowton hitting and suffocating the child before throwing bleach over her skin.
Dowton was sentenced on Thursday, May 21, and was also given an indefinite restraining order.
Detective Constable Debbie West, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Joint Child Protection Investigation Team, said: "This was a horrendous assault against a defenceless and vulnerable child known to him.
"Dowton took no responsibility for his actions and put the victim’s family through the ordeal of a criminal trial.
"I am pleased that the jury returned a guilty verdict and that Dowton will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars.
"He is evidently a dangerous offender, and this was a complex and challenging investigation for our team of detectives."
DC West said she hoped the verdict would help the victim and her family begin to heal.
She said: "While nothing can undo the pain and anguish that he has caused, I hope the young girl and her family can move on with their lives when they are ready to do so."
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