Father is jailed for 16 years after abusing six year-old daughter

Father is jailed for 16 years after abusing six year-old daughter

17 September 2014

A DOWNPATRICK man has been jailed for 16 years for raping his daughter when she was just six years old.

The 63 year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, subjected the girl to years of abuse which a judge has labelled as “heinous crimes “ which caused her “substantial and grievous harm.”

Despite being convicted of rape and eight counts of indecent assault spanning five years, the man refused to accept his guilt throughout the legal proceedings against him. When he appeared at Downpatrick Crown Court for sentencing he refused to allow his barrister to say anything in mitigation because that would have implied he accepted his guilt.

The man was convicted in June, after a trial lasting several days, and sentenced by Judge Piers Grant on Wednesday.

During the trial the victim, who is now an adult, told how the rape occurred when she was in bed and her father got in beside her. She said he continued to indecently assault her for several years, often inside the family home.

He even committed one indecent assault on her as he was driving her to a swimming lesson.

In his sentencing remarks Judge Grant said the man was volatile and aggressive towards his family who lived in fear of him.

“You committed these offences against your daughter even though every child has the right to expect that they will be brought up in a caring home where they will be protected from harm,” said the judge.

“You had a duty to protect her but instead you abused her and the position of trust,” he added. “You sexually abused her in a number of different ways for your own sexual gratification.”

Judge Grant, who repeatedly praised the bravery of the woman, said a victim impact report has shown she has been severely damaged by the abuse she suffered.

He said it was clear to everyone during the trial just how distressing she found giving evidence, sand showed “real and genuine difficulty” in recalling what had occurred.

“She showed remarkable courage in giving her evidence and in the way she has taken steps to make a new life for herself.”

However, the judge said it was clear the woman is still suffering psychologically from the abuse.

“Sadly, after a brief period of improvement after the trial, she has relapsed and it is clear she will need therapy and support long into the future,” he said.

Judge Grant said the defendant had shown no remorse for his actions and had displayed no insight into the harm he had caused. He said the man could have spared his victim the ordeal of giving evidence by admitting his guilt.

In addition to the 16 years for rape, the man received seven sentences of seven years and one of two years for the indecent assaults. All will run concurrently.

He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and when he is released will be the subject of a sexual offenders prevention order which will ban him from having any contact with children and vulnerable adults.

The judge concluded the case by saying: “The complainant in this case is a remarkably brave young woman, given what she has endured over so very many years.”