Cape man sentenced to five years in sex assault on teen

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Cape man sentenced to five years in sex assault on teen

By MICHAEL MILLER Staff Writer, 609-463-6712

Published: Saturday, October 11, 2008

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE - A state judge sentenced a Middle Township man to five years in state prison Friday for raping his children's babysitter.

George W. Blackman III, 25, was charged with first-degree sexual assault in the Dec. 24, 2007, incident. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of criminal sexual contact, a third-degree offense.

Blackman had no prior arrests or convictions and had held steady jobs as a furniture mover and commercial fisherman to support his four children.

"I've been a stand-up guy my whole life - never in trouble," said Blackman, a tall, burly man.

Blackman was so big that Cape May County Sheriff's officers decided to cuff his hands in front of him so he would not have to strain.

In halting and tearful testimony, the diminutive victim, identified only by her initials, told the judge she felt like she betrayed Blackman's family by revealing the assault. DNA evidence supported the girl's account, prosecutors said.

"I wish I could have done something more. I hate that every time I see (Blackman's family) I can't stop myself crying," she said. "I just wish this hadn't happened. Sometimes I think it's my fault I didn't push him away more.

"I was in such shock, I didn't know what to do," she said. "I was just so scared."

The victim's mother called Blackman a predator and said her daughter was too young and naive to realize she was being manipulated.

"She's 15. He's 25," she said. "I'm tired of her feeling like it was her fault. He's the one who destroyed her life."

Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten sentenced Blackman to five years in prison.

"Hopefully, she will get the counseling she deserves," the judge said.