New Bedford Man sentenced for Molesting Girlfriend's Grandkid

NEW BEDFORD — A New Bedford man was sentenced to serve one and a half years in jail after he was convicted of molesting his girlfriend's pre-teen granddaughter.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office said a jury last week found 59-year-old John Gomes guilty of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14.

According to the D.A.'s office, the victim told state workers during a Department of Children and Families interview in 2019 that Gomes had inappropriately touched her.

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Gomes, who was the boyfriend of the girl's grandmother, would sometimes stay at the home.

The victim disclosed that on one occasion, she was playing with her younger brother in the living room when Gomes came in and began tickling her.

Later, when she was lying on the sofa watching TV, he came up next to her and molested her with her brother still in the room.

Her mother was asleep upstairs and her grandmother was away at the time, according to the D.A.'s office.

Gomes didn't stop molesting her until her mother woke up, the victim said.

Both the victim and her mother testified in court during the trial.

District Court Judge Joseph Harrington Jr. sentenced Gomes to two and a half years in jail, with 18 months to serve and the remaining year suspended for five years.

"I commend the victim for her courage in testifying in this case," said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.

"Unfortunately the defendant had access to the victim through a relationship with the child’s grandmother," he added.

"I hope she can move forward with her life."

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