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Maidstone paedophile Mark Stanford jailed for raping child 17 years ago

A paedophile has been branded “wicked” after a campaign of rape against a young child more than 17 years ago.

Mark Stanford denied he had carried out the horrific sex offences – until a jury convicted him.

It was only then that the 55-year-old admitted what he had done and told a probation officer that “it was just opportunity”.

Maidstone Crown Court
Maidstone Crown Court

Now Stanford, of St Peter’s Street. Maidstone, has been given an extended 22-year sentence for his crimes.

He remained impassive as Judge Tony Baumgartner told him he would receive an immediate 18-year jail term and will not be eligible for parole before 2031.

Then the judge added another four years which he will have to serve on licence when he is finally released from prison.

The judge heard how his tearful victim revealed how he had cried and pleaded for Stanford to stop.

"He must have been terrified during the excruciatingly painful attack and pleaded with you to stop,” said the judge, “Yet his suffering had little impact on you.”

Stanford was told that for the rest of his life he will have to tell police where he is living and if he changes his name.

A jury at Maidstone Crown Court found him guilty of rape and other sex offences which date back to the early 2000s when the boy was just three years old.

His victim revealed that as a result of the attacks he suffered serious psychological harm which led to anxiety, depression and drug taking.

The court heard how when police officers raided Stanford's flat and seized his computer they discovered he had been searching for images of child sex.

Stanford, a widower Stanford, who has previous convictions including theft in 2007, was also dishonest in revealing that a child of a friend had stayed at his home.

"He must have been terrified during the excruciatingly painful attack and pleaded with you to stop...” - Judge Tony Baumgartner

The judge ruled he still poses a serious risk to children.

Paul Jackson, defending, said: “He accepts that what he did has caused harm to his victim.”

Judge Baumgartner said: “These are wicked offences in which you deprived your victim of the innocence that he was entitled to and you exploited him for your own sexual gratification.

“You subjected your victim to a campaign of rape and the effect on your him cannot be overstated.

"The search terms you used on your laptop computer demonstrate that you have a sexual interest in children.

“You have showed a lack of empathy towards your victim and it is one of the reasons you have been declared dangerous.”

Afterwards, an NSPCC spokesman said: “Stanford's actions have had a devastating impact on his victim and we hope he has received support to get his life back on track.

“He has shown incredible bravery in speaking out and we hope that the sentencing gives him and his family some measure of closure.

“This case shows that it is never too late for victims to come forward to seek justice – they will be listened to.”

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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