A ‘MANIPULATIVE and abusive’ predator sexually assaulted a child over 100 times making her feel like she would ‘never be normal again’, a court heard.

Darren Richmond, from Barrow, was jailed at Preston Crown Court on November 25 after admitting nine child sexual offences - including two charges of rape.

His Honour Judge Andrew Jefferies KC said the defendant caused ‘indescribable pain and suffering’ to the victim.  

Prosecutor Olivia Beesley said: “At times he placed a dog lead on his neck to choke himself and said if she didn’t do as she was told, he would do the same to her.

“He would also threaten that he would kill himself if she told anyone.”

Ms Beesley read the victim’s impact statement into the record.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said: “It is clear how much this has affected me, but it is difficult to put into words. I even struggle to say his name.

"He has taken away my relationship with sex.

"I will never be normal again. I’ll just have to find a way to deal with it.”

The 41-year-old was also sentenced after admitting four offences of attempting to sexually communicate with a child online.

Ms Beesley told the court Richmond contacted girls, which were decoy profiles, on the ‘Sweetmeet’ application.

“He offered to send a photo of his genitals after they had identified themselves as 13 or 14-year-old girls," Ms Beesley said.

"He then asked them for photos. When clothed photos followed, he asked for topless ones.”

Officers arrested Richmond after being contacted by a North East-based paedophile hunter group called the ‘Child Online Safety Team’.

In mitigation, Richard Vardom said his client’s guilty plea was his best form of mitigation.

“The defendant has a manipulative and abusive past which has clearly caught up with him," Mr Vardom told the court.

“These are quite repellent offences against a young girl.

“He originally pleaded not guilty but a short time before trial, he changed his plea to guilty."

Judge Jefferies jailed Richmond for 16 years, as well as an additional five years of extended licence due to the seriousness of the offences.

Before passing the sentence, he told Richmond: “She estimates you sexually assaulted her over 100 times. I do not accept you are remorseful. You are still in denial.  That will only change with serious reflection on those who work in the prison service.

“I have come to the conclusion there is a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm. You are a dangerous offender.”

Detective Constable Faye Huddleston said: “I’d like to acknowledge the bravery of the victim for reporting these offences to the police. I can only imagine what a horrendous experience this was.

“I am pleased with the sentence given out by the courts today.

“Richmond is a predator, and I can only hope that seeing him go to prison for a substantial amount of time can bring some comfort than justice has been done.

“Cumbria Constabulary is committed to thoroughly and compassionately investigating all reports of rape and serious sexual offences, no matter how much time has passed.

“I would encourage anyone who has been victim of a sexual offence to contact police so that our officers can investigate.”