Locations
Chilwell, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9
Description
An abuser convicted of a catalogue of sex crimes against a Loughborough schoolgirl is facing a "significant" prison sentence.
Darren Looby was found guilty of 18 offences, at the end of a three week trial at Leicester Crown Court.
The 39-year-old defendant denied the offences.
The court heard that Looby, of Chilwell, Nottingham, began abusing the a girl in Loughborough when she was 11-years-old.
Two members of the jury were discharged during the trial, leaving remaining 10 jurors to bring in 18 guilty verdicts, all with a majority of 9 - 1.
They deliberated for nine and a half hours.
Looby was convicted of:
- Six counts of sexual activity with a child
- Four counts of rape
- Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
- Two counts of rape of a child under 13
- Two counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
His crimes started in 2011 and continued until 2018 when the victim now in her early 20's left the town to attend university.
She contacted police in November 2018 and said the abuse she suffered at the hands of Looby eventually became normal and expected. She added she was scared about what he would do if she told anyone about what had happened.
After the guilty verdicts were announced Judge Keith Raynor thanked the jurors for their "public service" and said the defendant would be receiving a "significant prison sentence."
He adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report to assess the "issue of dangerousness."
Looby was remanded into custody to await sentencing on Friday August 13.
Afterwards, the officer in the case, Det Con Emma Burrows, from the forces Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: Looby felt he had a degree of control over his victim and that he would be able to get away with his crimes because she wouldnt tell anyone.
But, after moving away to study at university, the victim was finally able to tell police about what happened and this is what led to him being brought to justice.
"I hope the outcome of the trial can provide some relief to move on with life.