DANIEL SLANEY FROM DARLEY DALE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD RAPE AND PREGNANCY

In March 2017, a man from Darley Dale was handed a significant prison sentence after being convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving a young girl. Daniel Slaney, aged 23 and residing on Carlton Avenue in Darley Dale, was found guilty of repeatedly assaulting a schoolgirl over a period of two years, culminating in her becoming pregnant as a result of his actions. The court heard that Slaney's repeated offenses caused profound trauma to the victim, who was only a minor at the time.

According to the evidence presented in Derby Crown Court, Slaney's assaults were not isolated incidents but a series of repeated rapes that inflicted severe emotional and physical harm. The victim, whose identity remains protected by law to shield her privacy, revealed that the ordeal had a devastating impact on her mental health. She disclosed that she resorted to self-harm, using a razor, and at one point, contemplated ending her own life due to the trauma she endured.

Prosecutor Mark van der Zwart detailed the case, noting that Slaney initially denied any involvement in the offenses. However, DNA evidence linked him directly to the victim and the resulting pregnancy, which was confirmed after the exhumation of the fetus. Despite his initial denials, Slaney eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of rape committed in Darley Dale. The court recognized that these charges represented a pattern of repeated sexual assaults over the two-year period.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Jonathan Bennett described the crimes as a “campaign of rape,” emphasizing the severity and brutality of Slaney’s actions. The judge also commended the victim for her remarkable bravery in coming forward and sharing her experience with the police, despite the trauma involved. In his remarks, Judge Bennett condemned the offenses as “horrific” and underscored the profound impact on the victim’s life.

As part of his sentence, Daniel Slaney was sentenced to nine years in prison. Additionally, the court imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aimed at preventing any future offenses and ensuring the safety of the community. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of such crimes and the importance of justice for victims of sexual abuse.