A man has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for the systematic sexual abuse of his sister.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today heard how what began as play fighting escalated into sexual offending by the man — who has not been named to protect the identity of his victim — and that this continued over the course of several years.
Most of this offending occurred while he was also aged under 18.
The court heard how the man had woken his young sibling during the early hours of the morning before molesting her on what she later estimated was around nine separate occasions.
His criminal conduct then escalated into more serious sexual abuse which persisted even when she tried to physically move away or verbally told him to stop. She resorted to kicking him in attempt to halt abuse which, several years later, escalated further into full intercourse.
As the abuse came to light when the sibling reported what had happened to a relative, the man sent her a text in which he apologised and stated: “I genuinely thought you liked it and now I realise you didn’t.”
In a statement, the victim said she could no longer be around men. She told how the offending had an impact on her day to day life, and resulted in her losing friends.
She suffered from panic attacks, the court heard, had self-harmed from an early age, had ongoing suicidal thoughts, cried herself to sleep on many nights and had nightmares.
Prosecutor Tim Evans told how the man voluntarily walked into a police station before a formal complaint had been lodged. He made detailed admissions during interview and later pleaded guilty to a total of 12 offences.
Five of these involved the sexual assault of a child aged under 13; a further five comprised assault by penetration; and there were two of sexual activity with a child.
Judith McCullough, defending, said the man’s mental health and immaturity had undoubtedly played a part in his criminal conduct.
Passing sentence after reading detailed background reports, Recorder Kate Bex QC said “one could well imagine the fallout” of the man’s crimes within the family.
These are serious specified sexual offences,” said Recorder Bex, who added of the sibling: “It is not her fault and it can only be hoped that in time she will come to realise that none of this is her fault.”
The man was given a 62-month prison sentence. He must sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and adhere to the terms of a strict prevention order.
