9:02am Thursday 9th July 2009
A HEREFORD man has been jailed for 10 and a half years for offences his own defence described as “hideously ghastly, depraved and perverted”.
Jonathan O’Neil, of Grandstand Road, admitted five counts of raping a child under 13. Simon Burns, defending, said O’Neil had limited social skills and was sorry for what he had done.
Hereford Crown Court heard the 28- year-old committed the crimes in March this year but initially denied any knowledge to police.
His Honour Judge Hooper QC said at Friday’s hearing that had the defendant not pleaded guilty, the sentence would have been longer. He ordered O’Neil to serve at least half the term given.
O’Neil will be place on the sex offenders’ register for life.
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