EAST MALLING SEX OFFENDER JAILED AFTER SUBJECTING CHILD VICTIM TO A CAMPAIGN OF ‘TERRIFYING’ ABUSE
An “extremely dangerous” sex offender injected a child with drugs, rendering her almost unconscious during a campaign of “terrifying” abuse.Lee Balchin has now been jailed after he forced his young victim to consume cannabis, suspected ecstasy tablets and alcohol before raping her.
The 55-year-old repeatedly preyed on the child between 2000 and 2004, carrying out the abuse in several locations, which included “hideouts” in remote places.
The offences were initially reported to the police in 2018, and Balchin was arrested.
An investigation revealed he regularly plied the child with drugs, which included injecting her with amphetamine, and the substances and alcohol would sometimes render her almost unconscious.
Balchin, of Carnation Close, East Malling, was charged with multiple offences but denied any wrongdoing.
Following a trial in August, he was found guilty of two charges of rape and two further counts of indecent assault.
He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to 15 years' imprisonment today (October 13), and will have to serve at least two-thirds of that before he is considered for parole.
Detective Constable Lisa Roots said: “Balchin is an extremely dangerous individual who subjected his young victim to a truly harrowing catalogue of appalling and terrifying abuse.
“It is certainly rare to encounter a case where an offender has demonstrated levels of such callous depravity.
“He took her to isolated areas where he knew he would not be disturbed, and also made threats to kill her.
“The impact of Balchin’s offending is incalculable, and yet the victim has summoned such tremendous courage to come forward.
“Their strength has been instrumental in helping us bring him to justice, and I do hope this sentence will provide some comfort.”
