71-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Raping Child

John Saxton, of Southcote Road, was convicted of three counts of raping a child under 13, one of sexual assault and one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He was cleared of one count of rape and one of sexual assault.

Judge Peter Ross sentenced Saxton to 16 years' imprisonment, describing the case as one of the worst he had dealt with. He praised the girl's bravery in calling 999 and described her call as "harrowing".

The judge said Saxton had committed multiple rapes on the girl for a protracted period of two years, including acts of "degradation" where he made her perform "sexualised dancing" and forced her to participate in a game called "Eat Me I'm Delicious" where he typed out commands on his computer.

Judge Ross stated that Saxton maintained control over the girl with a "truly evil threat" and that the girl suffered a complete breakdown after reporting the matter to the police.

Saxton will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.