DARRAN LEE JAMES SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN YORK FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL
A man identified as Darren Lee James has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of raping and sexually abusing a young girl in York.The court heard that the incident occurred when the child was separated from her family while shopping in York.
James, 42, took her down an alleyway beside a shop where, in the darkness, he sexually assaulted her for the first time.
A few days later, he committed a rape and a more serious sexual assault.
During a police-recorded video taken years later, the victim expressed her ongoing fear, stating: "I still feel frightened of him." She was also angry about her experiences.
The jury was told that the girl did not initially tell anyone about the abuse but eventually confided in a relative, a social worker, and another person, fearing she might get into trouble.
James is not related to the girl.
Recorder Dapinder Singh QC described the incident as a sustained attack on a highly vulnerable victim.
He sentenced James to 15 years behind bars, with an additional year of supervised probation after release, citing his crimes as making him a 'point of particular concern.' James was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order aimed at preventing further offenses.
James, of Thoresby Road, Acomb, denied charges of rape and two counts of sexual assault but was convicted by a York jury last December.
Amanda Johnson, representing James, stated: "There is nothing I can say about the offences themselves.
I said I was not in a position to offer any mitigation based on remorse." She explained that James had experienced a troubled upbringing and faced various personal difficulties.
His mother supported him during the hearing.
At the time of the offences, James was drinking heavily and abusing cannabis to the point of dependency, and he had lost his job.
Johnson noted that James led an unhealthy and unproductive life and had long-standing mental health issues for which he was taking anti-depressants prescribed by his doctor.
In recent months, his mental health had worsened, and prison staff would be informed of his condition.
Although James had previous convictions for four offenses, none were sexual crimes, and he had never previously served time in prison.
Family members from both sides attended the sentencing hearing.
