Couple who raped young girl after drugging her jailed for 32 years
A couple who raped a little girl on several occasions were told they'd "tortured, humiliated and destroyed" her as a judge branded them "two of the most degenerate individuals to have appeared before this court".
Simon Parsons, 44, and Rebecca Dow, 39, abused the victim while she was under the age of 13. The grim details of the horrific abuse were heard in court, where prosecutors proved that Dow had held the young girl down while Parsons raped her. They also had sex with each other in front of her.
The twisted pair had denied sexually abusing the girl, but were found guilty at trial. They maintain that they were innocent and have not denied responsibility for the life-changing effects they had on their victim.
She told them in court: "I hate myself and I hate you". At Cardiff Crown Court, a sentencing hearing heard how they "ran the gamut of depravity". Parsons, who was said to have an "unhealthy relationship" with sex, reportedly had a "museum-grade collection" of sex toys.
The girl was plied with drugs to bring the child to "their level" and she was offered "promises of reward" in exchange for the sexual activity. But the depraved paedophile Parsons also threatened to "kill her" if she told anyone about the abuse, reports Wales Online.
Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probeIn his sentencing remarks Judge David Wynn Morgan said: "The facts speak for themselves and what they say is that you are two of the most degenerate individuals to have appeared before this court. The evidence of the victim is that you have both caused incalculable harm to her in the pursuit of your perverted sexual gratification. You treated her as some animated sex toy."
In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Matthew Roberts the girl said: "I have fought and continued to fight until today. Justice has finally been served... It's caused torture stress and anxiety and I've found it hard. I'm humiliated people know what happened and feel ashamed and humiliated my family had to listen to what sick things you did.
"You made me out to be a liar... I shouldn't have had to suffer from something you have done. I've known from the start you'd never take the blame or own up to what you did. You have traumatised me for the rest of my life... I would have become a happy person if this hadn't happened and I can only dream of the stress- and anxiety-free person I could have been...
"Night terrors, memories, and flashbacks have taken over my life. You act as if it never happened. I've had my life torn apart and turned upside-down." The court heard the victim has mental health issues and she has tried to end her own life.
She added: [It's] no life for anyone to live. I have to live with this for the rest of my life and I am still trying to put myself together even to this day.... I will never be the same. I never deserved this. The feeling of being so isolated and alone I hope no-one ever feels. I carry shame and guilt every day, even when I'm asleep, and it scares me. You have damaged me inside and out from the moment it started and the rest of my life. I can't form relationships or live a normal life. I hate myself and hate you.
"The constant stress, anxiety, and loneliness makes me sad. I will never forget – not even when I take my last breath. You damaged every aspect of my life you could. I have hated every second of this and it's not the life I dreamed of as a little girl. It's me who has to live with it 24/7.
"You tortured, humiliated, and destroyed me. I survived your evilness and have become so strong but I don't know who I am anymore. I am a lost little girl who got put through so much and it's your fault... Its my time to start living life."
Parsons, of Arlington Crescent, Llanrumney, Cardiff, was found guilty of two counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, one count of assault by penetration, four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. Dow, of Tregwilym Road, Rogerstone, Newport, was found guilty of two counts of aiding and abetting rape, four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and four counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
In mitigation Caroline Rees KC, for Parsons, said her client continues to deny the offences. She said he has experienced his first experience of the prison system, which has had a "hard, grave impact" on him. The barrister said he was previously a hardworking man up to these offences. David Elias KC, for Dow, said his client, who also continues to deny the offences, was previously in an abusive relationship and was the victim of "serious domestic violence".
Judge Wynn Morgan said both defendants forced the victim to relive the abuse by taking the case to trial and had subjected her to cross-examination. He also described Parsons as a "significant risk" to members of the public.
Russian model killed after calling Putin a 'psychopath' was strangled by her exParson was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment with an extended licence period of eight years. Dow was also sentenced to 16 years imprisonment. Both defendants will serve two-thirds of their custodial sentences before they are eligible for parole. They were both made subject to sexual harm prevention orders and restraining orders.