Snodland IT boss convicted of historic sex crimes after sending indecent image
16:24, 06 November 2023
An "arrogant" IT boss has been branded an “utterly unconvincing” liar by a judge after being convicted of historic sex crimes.
Daniel Fernandez, who ran a financial services company, was convicted by a jury of two counts of sexual activity with a child when he was 19.
The 35-year-old, from Snodland, also sent his victim an image of his private parts but claimed it had been sent in error.
The jury heard how Fernandez first groped his victim in 2008 when the judge told him "to put it bluntly when she was a child and you were a young man".
The businessman gave evidence at his trial at Maidstone Crown Court saying he sent his victim an image of his private parts by mistake while she was at a party.
But judge Oliver Saxby KC said Fernandez, of Bryne Road, Snodland, had been "utterly unconvincing" and had lied and changed his account.
He added: "You were arrogant. You were self-centred, selfish and manipulative.
"You fancied yourself but I am prepared to accept that you have grown up. I accept your remorse is genuine.”
He was found guilty on two charges related to groping and sending an illicit image to his victim.
The jury acquitted Fernandez on eight other sex charges.
The judge ordered him to do the maximum of 300 hours of unpaid work for the community during the next two years and pay £4,200 in court costs.
Fernandez was also ordered to attend 25 rehabilitation sessions and sign the sex offender's list.
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