Child rapist jailed for 21 years after court hears primary school girl feared torture

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A child rapist from Warrington convicted of raping and sexually abusing a young girl who feared he would torture her has been jailed for 21 years.

A judge, who branded Neal Hatton as “a liar”, ruled that he is a dangerous offender and imposed a six year extended licence.

“You treated her as your own sexual object,” Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told the 38-year-old defendant.
Hatton, of Vulcan Close, had been convicted of two rape charges and nine sex assault offences after two trials at Liverpool Crown Court as the first jury was unable to agree verdicts on the rape counts.
The court heard that the offences took place while the victim was a girl of primary school age. She did not tell anyone about her ordeal as she was afraid that well-built Hatton would take her to his home, then in Runcorn, and torture her.

Steven Ball, prosecuting, said that the nine-year-old victim had been left suffering from nightmares and has needed trauma counselling and his abuse has had an enduring emotional impact on her.
Judge Trevor-Jones, who imposed an indefinite restraining order, told Hatton that there was an element of corruption in his behaviour and said, “You have been found to be a liar throughout.”
He told Hatton that he will have to serve 14 years behind bars before he can apply for parole. He ordered him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Defence barrister Peter Gilmour had told the court that Hatton had been a productive member of society and while on remand has been a trusted prisoner. “There is another side to him in contrast with these offences,” he said.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Ryan Crawford who led the investigation said:

“Firstly, I want to praise the victim for the courage that she has shown throughout this investigation.

“Hatton is clearly a sexual predator, whose only interest is to fulfil his own sexual gratification. He showed no regard for the victim and even when faced with the mountain of evidence against him, he refused to plead guilty to any of the charges.

“Instead, he forced his victim to relive their experiences in court, which could not have been easy for them.

“Thankfully, as a result of the bravery of the victim, and the evidence we gathered, the jury have seen through his lies, and he is now being held accountable for his actions.

“I hope that the sentence handed to Hatton will provide the victim with some closure and allow her to move forward with her life, knowing that he will never be able do the same to any other children.”

In addition to the custodial sentence Hatton was ordered to sign the sexual offenders’ register and comply with a sexual harm prevention order for life.

Detective Sergeant Crawford added: “Nobody should have to experience what the victim has been though and if anything can come from this case, I hope that it encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us.

“Cheshire Constabulary takes any allegation of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”

To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/%20 .
In an emergency always call 999. Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.


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