A vile man who raped a girl four times first assaulted the youngster when she was only five years old, a court has heard. Gareth Reilly from Newport showed no remorse for the awful crimes he began committing in the early 2000s and was finally brought to justice with a lengthy prison sentence.
The shameless 46-year-old appeared at Newport Crown Court where he was sentenced for four offences of raping a child and one of indecent assault, all against the one victim. Reilly denied the offences but was found guilty following his trial, Wales Online reports.
Judge Richard Williams said Reilly had carried out an "entrenched pattern of serious sex offending against a particularly vulnerable child". He told him: "You are 46 and have not otherwise been in trouble. You maintain your innocence and there is no remorse to be taken into consideration.
"The probation service has found you pose a low risk of further offending in general but a high risk of a further sexual offence against a child."
Reilly's barrister, Byron Broadstock told the court there is no evidence that Reilly, of Fairoak Avenue in Maindee, sexually assaulted any other children and was previously a man of 'good character'.
He added: "He was in employment and had been for many years. The effect [of the case] on his children and his parents has been profound... He knows he is facing a very significant sentence but beyond what I have said – given that he has been found guilty by a jury – there is little I can say."
Judge Williams concluded that Reilly poses as a 'significant' threat to girl and has shown 'little prospect' of rehabilitation. After labelling Reilly as a dangerous offender, the judge gave him an extended 20 year prison sentence followed by four years on licence.
The defendant must serve two-thirds of the prison term in custody before he can be eligible for parole. Reilly will be placed onto the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
A further hearing on February 24 will decide a restraining order and sexual harm prevention order.
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