Locations
Lewisham Court, Southgate Way, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, S43
Description
A Derbyshire child rapist refused to leave his cell at Derby Crown Court after being found guilty by a jury of a number of horrific sex attacks on an underage girl.
Judge Shaun Smith QC said sentencing James Herring in his absence was the first time he'd had to do it in 40 years working in the legal system.
A trial heard how the 51-year-old, of Chesterfield, groomed then raped the girl when she was under the age of consent "becoming her tormentor and abuser".
And on one occasion he even raped her as she fell asleep from drinking too much alcohol.
Jailing him for 20 years, Judge Shaun Smith QC said: "Until she met you she'd had a miserable life.
"You knew that and you took advantage becoming her tormentor and abuser.
"When you first raped her she was in such pain and distress she slept with a teddy bear between her legs.
"The consequence of what you did to her were laid bare when she gave her evidence.
"She ended up in prison, she took drugs and I have no doubt that happened because of the abuse she suffered at your hands.
"You gained her trust and you sexually abused her."
Herring, of Lewisham Court, Barrow Hill, was found guilty of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault on a second female victim.
Denying all of the charges meant that they had to face their abuser and give evidence against him in court.
He has previous convictions for indecent assault of a male and burglary dating back to the 1980s.