Raping and sexually abusing schoolgirl.

Paedophile Ivan Keeling Jailed for 16 Years for Raping and Abusing Schoolgirl

Ivan Keeling, a 71-year-old pensioner from Cheadle, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for raping and sexually abusing a schoolgirl. Keeling was convicted of a "campaign of abuse" that spanned eight years, during which he groomed and exploited his young victim.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Keeling manipulated his victim with gifts of money, cigarettes, alcohol, and chocolates before sexually assaulting and raping her. The victim has been left with lasting psychological trauma as a result of the abuse.

Keeling initially denied all charges, including sexual assault of a child under 13, rape of a child under 13, and two counts of sexual activity with a child. However, he was found guilty of all offenses after a trial.

During mitigation, Elizabeth Power stated, "It is difficult to find words to mitigate for such offences which he has now been convicted of. The jury accepted what the complainant said. On her evidence it was a sustained and prolonged number of offences over some time."

In his sentencing remarks, the judge stated, "You have been convicted of a catalogue of the most serious sexual offences against a child. There is no doubt whatsoever, having heard the evidence, that you commenced a campaign of sexual abuse against her. You behaved in a way which was, quite frankly, appalling."

"You provided her with things she wanted, items of confectionery, cigarettes, alcohol and money. But all at a price that she satisfied your sexual predilections for many years. Throughout the trial you have completely denied any responsibility. It was perfectly clear to me and the jury that what was happening was a campaign of sexual behaviour towards a vulnerable child."