[2025] EWCA Crim 1411

The Recorder had the benefit of a pre-sentence report. The author expressed the views that the offender lacked empathy and that his remorse was primarily directed to the predicament in which he found himself. The author pointed to the vulnerability of V and the likelihood that although not yet demonstrated, she would suffer lasting psychological damage.

The court had victim personal statements from V and from M. V's statement was made some 5 months after the abuse had ceased. She spoke of having to keep what had happened a secret from her friends at school. She did not wish to reveal it to them as she found it disgusting. She was angry at the offender, who had taken her virginity and she was unable to think of the possibility of boyfriends. For a long time she had not wished to leave the house though things were beginning to get better. M explained eloquently how she felt destroyed by having brought the offender into her house and having not been able to protect her daughter from the person she should have been able to trust.

The Recorder also had five character references from members of the offender's family which spoke of a different side to the offender's character from that which he had shown by his abuse of V. We have read them all with care and take them fully into account. A brief report from the prison was positive about the offender's engagement with prison life and helping of others.