Description
A sick pervert who groomed a child by offering her sweets and then raped and sexually assaulted her is likely to die in prison after being handed a 20-year prison sentence.
Thomas Hobbs, 78, of Ovington, Northumberland, appeared before Judge Penny Moreland at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday September 30. He had been convicted of a string of vile child sex offences. Hobbs was convicted of 10 offences, which included at rape, sexual assaults and encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity at the same court in July.
Judge Moreland passed a custodial sentence of 20 years - this is to be made up of a 19-year jail term extended for a year due to the danger Hobbs poses to the public. Hobbs will not be considered for parole until he has served two-thirds of his sentence.
Hobbs will also be placed on the sex offenders' register for life, and has been made subject to a restraining order preventing him from contact with his victim.
He was told he will "in all likelihood" die in prison. Speaking to Hobbs, who appeared in court via videolink from Durham Prison, Judge Moreland said: "The jury convicted you of a series of serious sexual offences against [the victim]." The judge also told Hobbs the jury was satisfied he "abused her sexually and in the most serious way imaginable".
Judge Moreland said the offending had been aggravated by a number of factors including that he had gonorrhoea at the time of the offences. The judge said the defendant had begun to groom her, "by offering sweets" and then later asked her "can you give us a feel down there".
Judge Moreland then detailed the nature of the horrific offences and the impact they had on the victim. Judge Moreland added: "What you have done has had a substantial impact on her, and it has had an impact on her ability to trust and to build relationships with adult men. You have caused her immense anxiety and have affected her personality in ways she has described."
The judge said she had "no doubt" Hobbs was a dangerous offender.
The court had earlier heard a victim impact statement in which the girl - who has the automatic right to lifelong anonymity under law - said: "The abuse I have suffered has had a massive impact on my life. Firstly it has impacted my trust in men, particularly older men. There are a few males in my life but I do not feel I can build relationships with them."
She said the Hobbs' abuse had also led to her developing social anxiety. She said when her mother had told her the jury's verdict - convicting Hobbs that: "I cried and hugged my friend. It was such a relief that it was all over."
Defending, barrister Steven Reed offered no mitigation though did reference that Hobbs takes medication for a heart condition.