Description
A "sadistic" sex offender who was found guilty of a number of child sex offences, including rape, has been locked up.
Connor Laud, 27, of Hull, was convicted by a jury of the rape of a child under 13 and two counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity following a trial at Grimsby Crown Court last month.
At a sentencing hearing on Thursday, June 19, Laud was jailed for 16 years and was placed on the sex offenders register for life with a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.
He came to the attention of officers after Humberside Police received a report that a child had disclosed the nature of the sexual abuse they had been subjected to.
Arrested and interviewed by detectives, Laud denied all allegations of abuse put to him, claiming the child must have become confused. He also denied having a sexual interest in children.
However a jury returned guilty verdicts following a four-day trial in May.
Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Gayle Allwood said: “I’d like to praise the child, and their family for their bravery, I cannot begin to comprehend how they have felt throughout the entirety of this investigation.
“Laud is a perverted and sadistic man and, whilst this sentence does not take away the pain and trauma induced, it is because of the family's sheer courage that he is going to be behind bars for a very long time.
“When ready, we urge victims to come forward and tell someone, report these crimes to the police and we will do everything we can to hold those accountable.”