COUNTY DURHAM RAPIST SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
A County Durham rapist who committed the "hideous" sexual abuse of a child while intoxicated has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.James Smith, aged 43, left his victim feeling "uncomfortable" and battling feelings of "disgust" after he raped and sexually assaulted them.
Despite maintaining his innocence, Smith was found guilty after a three-day trial held on August 2 and appeared at Durham Crown Court via a link from HMP Durham for sentencing on charges including rape, sexual assault of a child, and sexual activity in the presence of a child.The prosecutor, Shaun Dodds, told the court that Smith committed the offences "under the influence of alcohol." During the sentencing, Judge Adams noted that Smith had chronic alcohol problems at the time, which he was in denial about, and emphasized that his alcohol abuse was an aggravating factor because Smith "knew what you were doing" and acted in a "hideous manner." The judge also highlighted that Smith's offences were unplanned, and despite his denial, he has no previous convictions related to sexual offences.
Smith's defense lawyer, Thomas Sherrington, argued that Smith "still maintains his innocence" and that "the offences were completely out of character," noting that Smith suffers from depression and anxiety.
However, the judge sentenced Smith to 12 years imprisonment, imposed a lifetime restraining order, lifetime registration on the sex offender register, and a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.In court, Smith's victim, who was a child at the time, described how they only began to process what happened as they got older, feeling "disgust in the pit of my stomach" and "uncomfortable in my own skin." The victim also revealed they had attempted to take their own life due to the trauma.
Smith's lawyer stressed that Smith "continues to deny the offences" and that his client "has no previous convictions for sexual matters." The judge concluded that Smith's alcohol abuse played an important role in the proceedings but reaffirmed that he acted in a "hideous manner" while under the influence, resulting in a 12-year prison sentence and ongoing restrictions and monitoring as part of his punishment.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
A County Durham rapist who committed the "hideous" sexual abuse of a child while intoxicated has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.James Smith, aged 43, left his victim feeling "uncomfortable" and battling feelings of "disgust" after ...
Prison sentence
12 years
A County Durham rapist who committed the "hideous" sexual abuse of a child while intoxicated has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.James Smith, aged 43, left his victim feeling "uncomfortable" and battling feelings of "disgust" after he raped and sexually assaulted them
Prison sentence
12 years
However, the judge sentenced Smith to 12 years imprisonment, imposed a lifetime restraining order, lifetime registration on the sex offender register, and a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.In court, Smith's victim, who was a child at the time, described how they only began to process what happened as they got older, feeling "disgust in the pit of my stomach" and "uncomfortable in my own skin." The victim also revealed they had attempted to take their own life due to the trauma
Court order
12 years
However, the judge sentenced Smith to 12 years imprisonment, imposed a lifetime restraining order, lifetime registration on the sex offender register, and a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.In court, Smith's victim, who was a child at the time, described how they only began to process what happened as they got older, feeling "disgust in the pit of my stomach" and "uncomfortable in my own skin." The victim also revealed they had attempted to take their own life due to the trauma
