A child rapist told one of his victims that Father Christmas would not visit her if she did not comply with his vile sexual abuse.
Lee Brown repeatedly subjected two young girls to a range of sickening acts over the course of around a year. One described how the warehouse worker has left her with a "weight on her shoulders she can't bear".
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Wednesday, that the now 21-year-old was aged 15 when he "groomed and exploited" the two victims - who were only eight and 10. Olivia Beesley, prosecuting, described how Brown subjected them to a campaign of "systematic, persistent and regular" abuse.
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He would instruct both to perform sex acts upon him, "begging" them to do so on occasions. During one incident in the run-up to Christmas, the pervert told one of the girls "that if she did not do what he wanted then Father Christmas would not appear".
The complainants reported Brown - of Freshwater Close in Great Sankey, Warrington - to the police in November 2021. Under interview, he told officers that he had began assaulting the girls when they were aged around four and six and he was 11 - continuing until he "turned 14 or 15".
A statement read out to the court on behalf of one of the victims said: "I feel I have to live with this weight on my shoulders. Sometimes I can’t bear this weight and feel like it is all my fault and I break out in tears as I struggle to cope with it.
"I want him to get the sentence he deserves. I just want this to be over now and I don’t want to see him ever again."
Simran Garcha, defending, told the court that her client suffers from ADHD, adding: "Mr Brown is extremely ashamed and contrite. He has shown insight into his offending behaviour and displayed victim empathy.
"He explained in his interview that, at the time, his actions felt somewhat normal. Having had time to consider his actions, he appreciates they were very wrong.
"He acknowledges that they will continue to have an impact on the victims. For this, he is deeply sorry.
"Mr Brown has shown deep remorse to those closest to him. He is described by his family and friends as loving, caring, considerate and selfless."
Brown admitted two counts of rape, two charges of sexual assault, two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. His supporters in the public gallery were seen in tears and holding hands as he was jailed for four years and four months.
Sentencing, Recorder Michael Maher said: "There was a persistence to your sexual abuse above and beyond what might be said to be child-like sexual experimentation. You exploited these girls and groomed them."
Brown will serve two thirds of this term behind bars before being eligible for release on licence. He was also handed a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victims, both lasting 10 years, and must sign the sex offenders' register for life.
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