A SCREENWRITER who works with young people in Ealing has been jailed for two years for molesting a five-year-old girl.

David Chamberlain, of Newburgh Road, Acton, formerly of St Margarets Road, Hanwell, preyed upon his victim after his young daughter made friends with her.

The 43-year-old, who was already a registered sex offender in the US, was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court last Friday.

The victim's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the Gazette of the trauma Chamberlain caused in her family.

The 32-year-old, of Chiswick, said: "I'm glad he has gone to jail and I hope it goes slowly for him.

"But he'll be out in one year and that's not worth all the stress he has caused us."

Her daughter, who is now seven, was assaulted while spending the night at Chamberlain's home in October 2009.

Both families used to look after each other's children and, despite having some reservations, she allowed her to stay over.

In February, after a second sleep-over when she was unharmed, the spoke about what Chamberlain had done to her.

Her mother said: "I was in shock. I don't know why she didn't tell me before. I didn't know what to do. It's not in her character to lie but, if she was lying, an innocent man could go to jail."

After deliberation, the social services and police were called. Chamberlain denied the crime until a year and a half later, meaning the girl and her family had to be put through lengthy interviews and the prospect of facing him in court.

Shortly before his trial, Chamberlain's barrister refused to represent him. This prompted the police to investigate further and discover that Chamberlain was listed on the Megan's Law website, an American public list of sex offenders, for attempting to annoy or molest children.

He had fled to Britain from his home country without informing the US authorities in July 2008.

The victim's mother added: "I feel let down. Why is there no system for checking for crimes committed abroad? Then this might not have happened.

"Fortunately, my daughter is too young to be affected by what happened to her, but my husband and I don't let her stay at her friends' houses any more."

She believes Chamberlain, who ran courses at Ealing Studios, also used his screenwriting skills to get close to teenage girls from the Barbara Speake Stage School in Acton.

He cast a group in a movie who were not harmed but were horrified when they heard of his crime.

His victim's mother said: "I know their mothers. They said the girls were disgusted and remember him being very touchy-feely with them at the time."

Barbara Speake, the stage school's owner, pointed out the teenagers had chaperones and their parents with them at all times. She said Chamberlain's only professional involvement with the school was through the film casting.

She added: "He had nothing to do with the school. Had he been a member of staff we would have CRB and FBI checked him but he wasn't. We followed all the proper procedures."

Ealing Studios declined to comment.

His victim's mother added: "I want to warn other parents, for them to make sure their children know they can tell them anything no matter what, otherwise people like that will get away with it."