SOUTHAMPTON MAN JAILED FOR ABUSE OF CHILD
A Southampton judge showed sympathy towards a victim of sexual abuse as he sentenced Nicholas Ray to eight years in prison.Judge Peter Ralls QC described the girl as bright and conscientious during her testimony against Ray at the city crown court.
The victim's impact statements detailed how the abuse affected her schoolwork and friendships, causing her to undergo counselling and suffer panic attacks.
She expressed that the incident has drastically changed her future, stating, "What has happened has affected my education and has changed my future forever." Ray, aged 41 and residing on Tenterton Avenue in Southampton, was found guilty of four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
He had pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The judge condemned his actions as taking advantage of the girl in a "cynical, appalling way." In addition to the prison sentence, Ray received a 15-year sex offenders prevention order and was placed on the sex offenders register for life.
