CHILD RAPIST LEE BUCKLE SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN HULL COURT
A former soldier who repeatedly raped a child, attempted to rape another, and sexually abused a third girl, has been jailed for 18 years.Lee Buckle, 30, was accused of the child rapes and other offences against his first two victims in 2011.
But after an investigation, police decided not to pursue those allegations, or refer them to the Crown Prosecution Service, until he admitted abusing another girl last year while serving in the Army.
After then being charged over the 2011 allegations, he was convicted after a [Hull Crown Court](http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/all-about/courts) trial this week of six rapes of a child under 13, attempted rape of a child under 13, and four indecent assaults.
Harrowing victim statements from the 2011 complainants revealed the impact of Buckle’s actions, including suffering anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
One victim stated the abuse "has and will affect me and the people around me for the rest of my life.
I can never escape it." She struggled with night terrors, anxiety, and turned to alcohol and drugs to cope.
Buckle had first raped the girl after grabbing her by the wrists and pushing her against a wall, telling her to "shut up" and threatening to kill her if she told anyone.
Sentencing Buckle, Recorder Simon Jackson QC said he did not understand the decision not to prosecute the 2011 allegations at the time.
In a statement after the hearing, Detective Inspector Richard Osgerby from Humberside Police's protecting vulnerable people unit said: "Today's ruling by the court reflects the seriousness of the offences and the impact they have had on the victims.
Lee Buckle was a prolific predatory offender who has now been brought to justice and is off the streets." The police acknowledged the initial investigation was delayed but emphasized progress in engaging and supporting victims, reaffirming their commitment to justice regardless of when offences were committed.
