A child rapist fled the country before being convicted of historic sexual offence at his trial and remains at large.
Martin Gill, from St Helens, is believed to be in hiding in Turkey after jetting off three days before he was due to be tried for his sickening crimes at Liverpool Crown Court. The now 36-year-old committed his campaign of sexual abuse in the early noughties, when he himself was a youth.
He indecently assaulted his victim when she was aged as young as 10 and performed sex acts on her. Gill then raped the younger girl when she was roughly 13.
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A statement read out to the court on her behalf described how she "didn't want to live anymore" as a result of his actions and had attempted to take her own life. The statement added: "I have nightmares which take me back to being a young, vulnerable child."
Gill's escape from the UK came after an earlier trial was postponed when he tested positive for Covid-19. Defending, Colin Witcher said: "The defence has made enquiries of Mr Gill, and there has been no response or engagement.
"Given his absence, there is very little I can say in positive mitigation on his behalf. He has not engaged with the process."
Gill, of Waring Avenue, admitted six counts of sexual assault but was found guilty of a further four of the same charge plus two of rape by a jury. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in his absence today, Tuesday.
Sentencing, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "The defendant abused his victim from a very early age, gradually escalating his activity. It was sustained abuse.
"He threatened her not to tell anyone, and those threats were clearly successful. The victim buried memories of the abuse until recently when she resurfaced feelings of fear, isolation and pain.
"There is clear and enduring serious emotional and psychological trauma."
Gill will also be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.
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