Description
An unrepentant paedophile rolled his eyes when told he will be at least 83 before he gets out of prison.
Leonard Wood, 67, raped a child victim nearly 40 times during abuse lasting more than a decade.
When the now adult woman went to the police to report her ordeal, Wood claimed she instigated his "vile" attacks.
Wood denied any sexual activity between them when she was underage and claimed any sexual contact after that was consensual.
But a search of his home revealed camcorder cassettes hidden in the loft - including one that appeared to have been destroyed.
And when a detective managed to repair the old cassette, it showed Wood had filmed himself raping and molesting the child.
Wood, of Bark Road, Litherland, admitted only two offences - counts of making indecent photographs of a child.
They related to two recordings, which he claimed showed consensual sexual activity when the girl was 16 or 17.
He denied any other wrongdoing - forcing his victim to endure a trial - and said everything videoed happened on just one occasion.
Prosecutors said different clothing worn by Wood and the girl, different lighting and different dcor in the background on the two clips suggested otherwise, while the victim said she was aged between 13 and 15.
David Polglase, prosecuting, said in one clip, a song could be heard playing in the background - perhaps on a TV or radio - followed by adverts for movies.
He said when the track was released and those films were in the cinema, the girl was only 14.
Wood told the jury that was just a coincidence and he used to record songs, then play them back, so he could learn to play them for his band.
He claimed it had been the girl's idea to film the videos and said he didn't know how the cassette came to be smashed and secreted away in his loft.
Wood was found guilty of 11 counts of rape.
They related to at least 36 separate rapes, including one when she was 11 or 12, and others from the age of 13 to when she was a young adult.
He was convicted of three counts of indecent assault, which related to at least 11 attacks, when she was aged 11 to 13.
Judge Louise Brandon today said the jury was sure the girl was under 16 when Wood filmed the clips.
The judge said the prosecution described it as a "campaign of rape".
She added: "I'm sure the jury's verdicts demonstrate they were sure that is exactly what it was."
Judge Brandon told him in an "extremely serious aspect" of the offending "you sought to keep illicit recordings of your sexual assaults... for your own gratification".
She said: "You directed and controlled her to ensure you had the footage that you desired."
Mr Polglase earlier told the court how Wood "essentially conditioned" his victim and "normalised his behaviour".
He read out a victim statement in which the woman said when the abuse started she thought it was "normal" and didn't understand what was happening to her, even though it felt "wrong".
The woman said: "I never had a childhood I was supposed to have."
The victim explained as an adult she began self-harming and turned to alcohol to cope with her trauma, as she suffered with anxiety, depression, a lack of self-confidence, sleepless nights and hit "rock bottom".
However, she said it felt like a "weight lifted" after she came forward and Wood was convicted, adding: "I now feel like I can finally start living my life."
The woman said: "I feel like my life is starting now - a life I should have had for a long time."
Wood, who has one conviction for benefit fraud in 2004, showed no emotion as the statement was read out.
Judge Brandon told him: "It's not an overstatement to say your actions had a devastating impact upon her for decades and she continues to suffer the consequences of the harm you did to her."
Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, said because of his age, the "inevitable, lengthy custodial sentence" would have a "profound effect" on Wood and "the rest of his life".
He said a pre-sentence report showed "some indications of some insight into his culpability" and while there was "limited acceptance of his responsibility", these "chinks of light" meant he could undergo a sex offenders treatment programme in prison.
Mr O'Donohoe said: "His conviction and sentence will essentially break ties with his grandchildren.
"His daughter was supportive of him during the trial. I don't know what the state of their relationship is [now], but inevitably the custodial sentence will have a profound effect upon his immediate family, including his partner... who stands by him."
Judge Brandon said Wood took steps to prevent the victim from reporting his abuse and the woman remembered him telling her: "I will out you to be a liar because no one will believe you."
The judge said he "deliberately sought to attack the credibility" of his victim during the trial, telling the jury she was a "manipulative liar" and claiming "she instigated the vile abuse that you perpetrated against her".
Judge Brandon said: "The jury saw through your lies but that has not deterred you from repeating them for the new audience of the author of the pre-sentence report."
She said Wood had "no remorse" and "no appreciation" of the "severe psychological harm" he had caused.
Referring to the "chinks of light", Judge Brandon added: "If they are there, they are very difficult to see."
Wood rolled his eyes as the judge jailed him for 24 years, with an extended one year on licence as "an offender of particular concern".
He must spend at least two thirds of the sentence - 16 years - behind bars.
Wood must comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Speaking after the case, an NSPCC spokesperson said: "Wood's victim has had to live for many years with the knowledge and harmful impact of his campaign of sexual abuse against her.
"We hope that his conviction and sentencing brings her some solace, and that she is receiving the support she needs to address the effects of his abuse upon her life.
"This case highlights that people who speak out about sexual abuse will be listened to and justice can be achieved, regardless of how long ago the offence took place.