A young man who sexually assaulted his seven-year-old sister out of jealousy for the happiness she had in her life has been sentenced to two years in prison. The perpetrator, who was 14 at the time of the assaults, committed the heinous acts on multiple occasions, as revealed during the proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court. The now adult defendant, whose identity remains protected, was convicted of rape.
Recorder Marco Giuliani emphasized that the sentencing needed to consider the offender’s age at the time of the crimes. The court learned that following the death of their mother, the siblings resided in separate homes, with the brother harboring envy towards his sister’s more stable living situation. He experienced bullying at school and isolated himself in his room.
Driven by a need for control and jealousy, the defendant committed the sexual assaults over the span of a year whenever his sister visited him. He coerced her into silence, warning her that she would bear the blame if he faced consequences for his actions.
Acknowledging the traumatic upbringing of the defendant, marked by exposure to violence and substance abuse at home, Recorder Giuliani noted that despite these challenges, many children in more adverse circumstances do not resort to such egregious behavior. The judge firmly stated that the perpetrator was fully aware of the wrongful nature of his actions.
The lasting impact of the abuse on the young girl was highlighted in her statement, revealing profound emotional distress, trust issues, and pervasive disruptions to her life. She expressed feelings of embarrassment and a desire to avoid being stigmatized for the trauma inflicted by her own sibling.
In addition to the prison term, a restraining order was imposed, prohibiting the defendant from contacting his sister for 25 years. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender for a decade.
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