Brutal rapist jailed

AN EVIL pervert has been jailed after being found guilty of raping a 14-year-old girl in Robertsbridge.

This week Jimmy Draper, 36, from Gillingham, Kent, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for two counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Draper was found guilty in July following an 11 day trial at Lewes Crown Court.

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Draper’s victim was just 14 and known to him at the time of the offences, which took place between 2004 and 2005.

The abuse was reported to Sussex Police in March 2012 and a full investigation by Detective Constable Carol Shoesmith from East Sussex CID was launched.

Draper was arrested and charged in November 2012.

DC Shoesmith said: “Draper took advantage of the trust placed in him by both the victim and her family, who were living in the Robertsbridge area of East Sussex at the time of abuse.

“He was a controlling individual who had total disregard for the devastating effect his abuse had on his young victim, who had to live for years with the emotional and mental pain as she was too frightened to tell anyone.

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“Her trauma was then added to by the fact that she was not spared from the experience of having to give evidence at Draper’s trial several years later.

“I hope his long prison sentence will go some way in helping her to get on with her life knowing that justice has been served.”

Sentencing Draper, Judge Kemp said: “You violated her for your own sexual gratification...for these horrible brutal offences you have to pay the price.”

DC Shoesmith continued: “I would like to appeal to any other victims of sexual abuse to please come forward and not suffer in silence.

“Sussex Police will give you the support you need and investigate thoroughly irrespective of how long ago the abuse occurred.”