Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse Despite Denial

A man who continues to deny the serious sexual abuse of a young girl despite his recent conviction has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Bryan Tulip, 45, of Hillside Gardens, Stanley, was found guilty of two counts of rape, one covering several repeat offenses, and sexual assault of the girl following a trial at Durham Crown Court last month. He had denied all charges at a plea hearing in March.

At the sentencing hearing, conducted via video link from Durham Prison, the court heard Tulip still maintains his innocence. Since his conviction on August 8, the victim, now an adult woman, prepared an impact statement that was read to the court.

The victim, through the statement read by prosecutor Ian West, detailed the profound impact of Tulip's actions on her life. She spoke of how the abuse affected her education, her childhood, and caused her ongoing anxiety. She described her constant vigilance around men, even in shops, and the difficulty of disclosing the abuse and reliving the traumatic experiences she endured at Tulip's hands.

The victim stated she plans to seek counseling now that the case has concluded, adding, "I can't forgive him for what he did and for putting me through a trial. In my opinion, he should go to prison for a very long time and not be allowed near to children again."

Tony Davis, representing Tulip, was restricted in his mitigation due to Tulip's continued denial. While acknowledging Tulip's history of hard work and dedication as a son and caregiver to his parents and other children, Judge Adkin emphasized, "Having a good character, apart from abusing a young child, is meaningless."

Judge Adkin imposed a special sentence for "an offender of particular concern," given the victim's age under 13. The sentence includes 18 years of imprisonment followed by a 12-month extended license period upon release.

A restraining order was implemented, prohibiting Tulip from contacting or approaching his victim. He will also be subject to lifetime restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and be registered as a sex offender indefinitely.