NORWICH – A man convicted of molesting his granddaughter apologized to the court and his family Monday, but did not apologize to the victim or admit his guilt.

Delbert Shofkom, 68, was found guilty of first degree attempted rape for accosting his granddaughter on at least one occasion and forcing her into sexual encounters on several other occasions beginning in November 2004.

Monday, he appeared before County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan to receive his final sentence and was ordered to state prison for seven years.

Shofkom read a written letter to the court wherein he apologized for initially blaming the court and District Attorney’s Office for his conviction. “I’m presently under a lot of stress right now and through the trial. I apologize for remarks made about the court. I thought I was doing the right thing, but now I see, I admit, to being too strict,” said Shofkom.

The defendant continued to read the letter admitting he favored the boys over his granddaughter and that he was too heavy handed with them.

“I respect the system and I believe in it,” said Shofkom.