Jail for man who raped woman and sexually assaulted child

A sex offender who raped a woman and sexually assaulted a child has been jailed for 17 years.

Keith Sterling repeatedly abused the young girl a number of years ago while he lived in Darlington.

The 46-year-old’s offending was uncovered when the child bravely told staff at her school what had happened, who called police, and Sterling was arrested.

During the investigation, officers were contacted by a woman who told officers she too had repeatedly been raped by Sterling over several years.

Sterling, of Darlington, was charged with two counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault on a child.

He denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty following a trial at Teesside Crown Court in September.

Sterling returned back to court on Friday (November 22) where he was jailed for 17 years and handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

He will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

A victim impact statement read out on behalf of the young girl told the court of the psychological harm she had suffered as a result of the abuse, and how she is struggling to understand with “why her?”.

During sentencing, Recorder Aisha Wadoodi praised Durham Constabulary for the quality of the investigation – in particular the way in which the victim recorded interviews were conducted.

The investigation was led by Investigative Officer Heidi Weir and Detective Constable Amie Thornton, from Darlington Safeguarding Team.

They said: “Keith Sterling believed he could take what he wanted, and when he wanted, using his victims for his own sexual gratification with no regard whatsoever for their emotional and physical wellbeing.

“He is a cruel and manipulative individual who has shown a complete absence of remorse for what he has done.”

They added: “The young girl in this case showed incredible bravery by coming forward and telling someone what had happened to her.

“Tragically, she feared that nobody would believe her and was scared of what would happen if she told someone. No child should ever feel like this.

“But her courage has allowed us to convict Sterling for not only the abuse carried on her, but to the woman he raped and abused for several years too.

“It is heartbreaking to see the devastating impact offenders like Sterling have on their victims, but we hope that they can both now start to heal and understand that it is not their fault.”

If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, tell us.

We believe you.

Call Durham Constabulary on 101 or 999 in an emergency, or report online at www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

If you’re not ready to speak to police, there are other agencies who can help.

The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Call 0330 223 0099 or visit www.sarcdurham.co.uk