‘Depraved’ child rapist jailed
A MAN has been jailed for 12 years for raping a young girl in an attack a judge described as ‘depraved, gratuitious degradation’.
Iain Macleod, 50, was locked up for raping, sexually assaulting and beating up the girl on June 13 this year, causing 46 separate injuries.
Judge Stephen Ashurst said in his 30 years’ experience he had rarely seen a young victim with so many injuries.
Leeds Crown Court heard former soldier Macleod punched the girl and put his hands round her throat during the attack.
Prosecutor Bashir Ahmed said: “She was screaming for help. By kicking out at him she got his hands off her neck.
“He sexually assaulted her and tried to rape her. Then he released her and started to cry, saying ‘what am I doing? I’m sorry’.”
But the court was told a further sexual offence took place before he let her go and ran off.
Mr Ahmed said: “He contacted police himself, saying where he was and what he had done.
Macleod, of Springfield Terrace, Cleckheaton, told police he had been drinking heavily before the attack and could not remember most of it. He said the victim was frightened and screaming and begging him to let her go. He said he knew it wasn’t right as he was hurting her.
Mr Ahmed said: “He said he felt like an animal and didn’t know why he did it.”
The court was told the attack had left the victim traumatised, unwilling to leave her home and suffering from nightmares.
Mitigating, John Broadley said Macleod was genuinely sorry.
He said the defendant had no previous convictions and had suffered from depression and alcohol problems.
He added: “He is appalled by his behaviour.”
Macleod admitted raping and the attempted rape of a child under 13, sexual assault and actual bodily harm. He was made the subject of an indefinite sexual offences prevention order banning him from unsupervised contact or working with under 18s.
Judge Stephen Ashurst said: “No-one knows why you behaved in that way. This child was screaming and frightened and that must have been obvious. That you ignored her suffering is exceptionally serious.
“Just when she thought an end might be in sight, you showed her no mercy. That displays a very unusual degree of brutality and uncaring attitude towards a child so young.
“There are very few words to describe the sheer terror that girl must have gone through.”
Macleod was sentenced to 12 years for rape, three years for ABH, and 10 years each for attempted rape and assault, to run concurrently.
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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