Record details
A man who raped a vulnerable girl when he was a teenager has been jailed for seven years.
Bradford Crown Court heard how Liam Coleman took the victim to an isolated spot where he raped her.
Coleman, now 22, of Mary Street, off Bowling Back Lane, Bradford, who was convicted by a jury following a four-day trial, is considered a high risk of harm to children.
In a statement read to the court on her behalf by prosecuting barrister Matthew Bean KC, the victim said the experience was “unimaginable”.
She added:
“The whole process, from the night of the crime itself through the years of having it hanging over my head and going through the court process, has had a significant and lasting impact on my life.
“What may seem like normal situations to other people can make me feel anxious and vulnerable because of what I have experienced.
“The impact of what happened has therefore continued long after the night itself.
“I wish I could feel as carefree and safe as I did before this happened. Instead, I feel that I have to be constantly cautious and aware of my surroundings.”
Mitigating, Abigail Langford said Coleman was only 18 at the time of the assault in 2022, which had arisen out of a “chaotic” situation.
She asked the court to take into account Coleman’s lack of maturity at the time and the delay in the matter coming to court.
The court heard that Coleman had previous convictions for possession of a bladed article, dangerous driving, and driving whilst disqualified.
Sentencing Coleman, Mr Recorder Tony Watkin said:
“On arrest you told a pack of lies. You have then continued to deny responsibility for the offence.”
He added:
“From the moment you saw [the victim] I find you were intent on having sex with her whether she wanted it or not.
“You simply did not care.”
He went on:
“The pre-sentence report confirms … that you do not accept your guilt, repeating your claim – which the jury did not accept – that this was consensual sex.
“I note that you told the officer that you find the nature of the offence of rape to be abhorrent and disgusting, which in light of the finding of the jury are the labels which are attached to your behaviour on that night.
“You are assessed as a high risk of harm to children, a medium risk to the public, and a high risk to known adults, which all seem to me to be appropriate assessments of your risk given the nature of this offence and your unwillingness to accept any responsibility.”
Recorder Watkin sentenced Coleman to seven years’ imprisonment and imposed a restraining order until further order.
Coleman will have to register as a sex offender for life.
