Man who raped child jailed for 22 years

A man who raped and sexually abused a child has been jailed for 22 years and three months.

Philip Lakey, 63, from Worcester, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Friday.

Lakey pleaded not guilty at his original hearing, but was found guilty at trial by jury of multiple sexual offences against one victim.

Following sentencing, Det Con Phillippa Stevens said: "We are pleased to get this long sentence for Lakey, whose disgusting actions have had a terrible impact upon his victim."

The defendant was convicted of four counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of assault a child under 13 by touching and six counts of sexual activity with a child, all of which took place between 2019 and 2022.

Stephens added: "We hope this will feel like some sense of some justice for the victim, and I would like to thank them for trusting the judicial process.

"We also hope this court result will encourage other victims of rape or sexual assault or those who know of such crimes to come forward and speak to us so we can attempt to bring their attackers to justice too.

"We will always listen to you and act where appropriate to bring predators like Lakey before the courts with the aim of securing justice and long custodial sentences as in this case."

On release from prison, Lakey will be subject to a 25-year sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order in place to protect the victim.

He will also be on the sex offenders register for life.

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