Walney man jailed for 25 years after ‘campaign of rapes’

WALNEY MAN JAILED FOR 25 YEARS AFTER ‘CAMPAIGN OF RAPES’

A convicted rapist has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for what a judge described as a prolonged “campaign of violence accompanying rapes” committed against a child.

Alejandro Nigro, aged 44, of Naiad Street, Walney, was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court last month on three counts of raping a child.

On 29 November, His Honour Judge Andrew Jefferies KC handed down the sentence at the Sessions House, condemning the severity and brutality of Nigro’s actions.

Judge Jefferies KC said: “You turned to a campaign of violence accompanying rapes.

When you started violently raping her, her world was turned upside down.” He continued: “There was obviously severe psychological harm.

The case is so severe because of the sheer number of rapes you committed.” In addition to the prison term, Nigro has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Katherine Taylor of Cumbria Police described the case as one involving persistent and predatory abuse.

“This was predatory behaviour over a number of years, targeted at a young girl who will have to live with the abuse she suffered for the rest of her life,” said DC Taylor.

She added: “The defendant was remorseless and refused to own up to his offending, forcing the victim to give evidence at trial rather than admit to what he had done.” “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victim in this case.

She showed remarkable courage and bravery in not only coming forward to the police but in engaging with the court process which has resulted in a dangerous and predatory individual being sentenced to a significant sentence of imprisonment.” Cumbria Police are urging any survivors of sexual offences to come forward, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

“No matter how long ago an incident occurred, we will do all we can to identify offenders and hold them to account,” DC Taylor said.