A 33-year-old man, Luke Simpson, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a campaign of rape against an 11-year-old girl.

Judge Jason Taylor QC, presiding over the case at Swindon Crown Court, described Simpson's actions as "cunning, determined, predatory, and manipulative."

The court heard that Simpson, from Melksham, subjected his victim to repeated sexual assaults between January 2019 and October 2020. The abuse included rape and other forms of assault, occurring too many times to count, according to the victim's statement to police.

Simpson, who showed little emotion during the hearing, employed coded language on WhatsApp to arrange the assaults, using phrases like "cuddles tonight?" to conceal his intentions from the girl's mother, who checked her phone regularly.

The victim disclosed the abuse to her younger sister, and then to her mother in October 2020. Simpson was swiftly arrested but initially denied the allegations. However, he later admitted to his own mother that he had engaged in sexual activity with the girl, claiming it was consensual.

Horrified by her son's lack of remorse, Simpson's mother provided a statement to the police. Simpson's father, who also gave a statement, described providing the account as "the most terrible thing ever."

In a second interview, Simpson claimed that the sexual activity had been initiated by his victim. He attributed his actions to being "wrecked on drugs and alcohol," stating that he wasn't "living in actual reality" and had been "away with the fairies."

The prosecution rejected Simpson's claims, stating that he had not entered a plea based on these assertions.

The victim, in a powerful impact statement read to the court, described the profound impact the abuse had on her life. She said: "I struggle to trust men and feel like I'm not normal. As a 12-year-old girl, I feel ashamed to have been treated like that."

"He made me feel anxious. I sometimes thought he would kill me if I told anyone. I would feel safer knowing he is in prison."

The victim's mother, in her statement, praised her daughter's strength and described Simpson as "sick and demonic."

Simpson pleaded guilty to rape of a child, assault of a child by penetration, and sexual assault. Judge Taylor imposed an extended sentence of 18 years imprisonment followed by five years on licence, citing the "brazen" nature of Simpson's offenses and the risks he posed to other young girls.

The judge emphasized that Simpson's "distorted and twisted view" of the situation revealed a "troubling lack of empathy and insight," highlighting the need for extensive management and monitoring upon his release.

The defense argued that Simpson had experienced childhood trauma. He expressed remorse for his actions and offered an apology through his attorney.

Simpson will remain on the sex offenders' register for life and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.