A paedophile raped and abused a young child who found out his behaviour was wrong after watching a video on sexual abuse in school.
Leigh Griffiths, 39, of Cardiff, asked his victim to keep the abuse secret and told her he would be sent to prison if she told anyone.
As a result of the disgusting treatment she received at the hands of Griffiths the girl attempted to take her own life before telling her mother about the full extent of the abuse she suffered. When confronted the defendant admitted his actions but, when asked why he had sexually abused a young girl, he replied: "Dunno".
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A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard the abuse of the victim, who has lifelong anonymity, began when she was younger than 10 years old. The offences took place in an area covered by Gwent Police.
He then proceeded to rape the girl on a number of occasions, causing her to feel pain, and instructed her how to perform oral sex on him before doing the same to her. He would also masturbate himself in front of her and showed her pornography while abusing her.
Prosecutor Nigel Fryer said the abuse came to an end with the victim believing Griffiths had become concerned she would start to appreciate his abuse of her was wrong . He again spoke to her and told her to keep the abuse secret as he was "fearful of going to prison".
The barrister added: "She began to appreciate the sexual abuse was wrong... because a police officer came to her school and they were shown a video about victims of sexual abuse. That triggered her to research sexual abuse behaviour."
The victim said the abuse made her feel "depressed" and left her crying and shaking. She also made an attempt on her own life.
When the matter was reported to the authorities Griffiths was quoted as saying: "I knew this would catch up with me. Time to admit what I did and own up to it."
The defendant was arrested and cried throughout his police interview, saying he had "f***** his life up" and "did something really stupid". He mainly gave no comment to questions but confirmed he knew what he was doing was wrong though he claimed he had no explanation for why he had done it.
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Griffiths, of Ty Wern Avenue, Rhiwbina, pleaded guilty to four counts of raping a child under 13, two counts of attempting to rape a child under 13, eight counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, one count of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and four counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act.
In a victim personal statement the girl said: "I find it difficult to express exactly how I feel about what happened to me – nothing can describe my true thoughts about he's done. I feel he's selfish – not once did he think of me and only thought of himself and what he wanted.
"He stole my childhood. I don't think he understands the devastation he caused me and I don't think he feels sorry for what he's done. He told me not to tell anybody... I googled to find out what he did was wrong. I found it very shocking and it left me feeling ashamed of what I did. When I realised exactly how bad what he had done was I felt numb and sick.
"He continued to live a normal life while I suffered with this dirty little secret he created. He thought he could move on and put it in the past. He should now face the consequences of those choices.
"He's tarnished any sexual relationship I would have in the future and I have no chance of a normal life. I am haunted by what he did to me and the thought of it makes me sick. I hope I can rebuild the life he stole away from me."
In mitigation defence barrister Owen Williams said his client was of previous good character and had pleaded guilty to all of the offending he was accused of.
Sentencing, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: "She was too young to understand what you were doing and she was scared...
"She didn't fully appreciate what happened to her until police attended school and showed a video about this type of abuse. Her mental health went downhill as a consequence of what happened to her and she attempted to take her own life."
Griffiths was sentenced to a total of 12 years imprisonment. He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.
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