Description
A man, who groomed and sexually assaulted two young girls, has been jailed for 12 years, and given a four year extended licence for the protection of the public.
Benjamin Fish, 38, formerly from North Norfolk, was also placed on the sex offender's register for life and banned from ever working with children.
Fish, of no fixed address, admitted rape and sex assaults on one victim, which began when she was seven years old. He also admitted sex assaults on a second girl.
Andrew Shaw, prosecuting at Norwich Crown Court, said Fish told one of the victims he would kill her if she told anyone about the sex assaults. He said Fish groomed the victim by buying her a number of expensive items.
Mr Shaw said it was only when she was older that she found the courage to come forward and make a complaint about Fish.
In an impact statement, one of the victim's said she still has nightmares about what happened.
Judge Stephen Holt imposed a 16 year extended sentence on Fish jailing him for 12 years and ordering that he be on extended licence for four years on his release for the protection of the public.
He said that Fish had committed a number of serious sex assaults on the two girls and said: 'You groomed them by buying expensive presents such as bags and phones.'
Judge Holt said that one of the victim's, who suffered the most serious assaults, had turned the corner after she came forward to make a complaint: 'Once she had the courage to tell people about what had happened that seemed to help her turn the corner.'
Judge Holt gave Fish credit for his guilty pleas for sparing the victims coming to court.
Michael Clare, for Fish, said he never used any violence and deserved credit for his pleas.
'He has an insight into what he has done and the harm he has caused and is showing genuine remorse.'
He said Fish was showing a willingness to address his problems.