Locations
Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside, WA12
Description
A child rapist is 'likely to die in jail' after his victim found justice 35-years after he raped and abused her.
Barry Lake, 70, from Newton-le-Willows was charged with 10 counts of rape of a child and two charges of gross indecency with a child last month.
The charges related to the historical abuse of his victim over a four year period in the 1980s.
Originally from Pembroke Dock in Wales, Lake had denied all 12 charges relating to the offences between January 1986 and January 1989.
Lake was first questioned by Dyfed-Powys Police in April 2020 in what would become an intensive and complex investigation.
Investigating officer DC Claire Lewis said: Lake denied all charges, putting his victim through the ordeal of a trial.
As they have done throughout the investigation, they [the victim] showed great courage and dignity in the face of adversity to help us convict their abuser.
This was a long and intensive investigation with a lot of work to achieve this outcome today.
This sentence shows that it doesnt matter how long ago a victim has suffered sexual abuse, we as police are here to listen and take seriously any person who has suffered any form of sexual abuse albeit a day or 35 years after.
Please do not be scared to come forward, we are here to listen to you.
Once again, I would like to commend the victim for their bravery for coming forward and achieving this outcome today.
The pensioner, who after being found guilty of all 12 charges, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, October 22.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for historical rape and abuse of a child and will also serve another year on licence upon his release.
He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.