Jahsiah Semper 24

Description

A paedophile who raped a toddler has been jailed for 15 years after the judge described his actions as ‘deplorable’.  

Jahsiah Semper, formerly of Paddock Road in South Ham, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, July 1.  

The 24-year-old appeared in the dock from Winchester Prison wearing a grey t-shirt and a gold chain around his neck.  

He was arrested in November 2024 after police officers searched his home and found indecent photographs and videos on his mobile phone.  

One video was of Semper assaulting a child aged between one and two years old, at some point between January 2022 and November 2024. 

He was charged by police in March 2025, and later pleaded guilty to nine counts including taking Category A indecent photographs of a child, making Category A and Category B indecent photographs of a child, assault of a girl under 13 by touching, possessing extreme pornographic images, and rape of a girl under 13.  

Following the discovery of more evidence, on June 25, three more charges were presented against Semper: Voyeurism by recording a private act, making Category B and Category A indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty.

The court heard that Semper does not remember making the video of the toddler and could not provide any explanation for the incident.  

Mitigating, Adreinne Knight, said: “He is 24 years old with no previous convictions. He is so ashamed of his actions, he cannot face his actions.  

“He knows he must have done it because of the evidence, he is ashamed, and above all else, he is sorry for what has happened.  

“He has been suffering from depression, and he is overwhelmed by what has taken place.”  

Describing Semper’s actions as ‘deplorable’, Judge Paul Dugdale refused to accept the defendant couldn’t remember the incident.  

Judge Dugdale said: “The concern I have is he has failed to get to grips with this.

"The treatment cannot start until he accepts he has done these things, and he needs help with it. He cannot say because he says he does not remember any of it.”  

He further dismissed the defendant's former good character and lack of previous convictions as mitigating factors against the sentence. 

Addressing the defendant, the Judge said: “The victim will grow to understand the catastrophic impact that your appalling behaviour will have on her for the rest of her life.  

“There will be devastating damage from what has been done. Mr Semper, this will haunt her for the rest of her life.  

“You remain a very dangerous person, and you pose a very significant risk to children until you accept what you have done."

Semper was sentenced to 15 years in prison plus five years on license and will be ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register, which he will be on for life. 

He must serve a minimum of 10 years in custody before he is eligible for parole. 

Judge Dugdale also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life and an indefinite restraining order.