Rapist told girl: ‘It’s only a game’

A MAN tickled a young girl before sexually abusing and raping her, then telling her it was “only a game” and she “must not tell”.

Sean Harknett denied five counts of child sexual offences, but was found guilty by a jury after trial at Cardiff Crown Court in February.

In a statement read out before he was sentenced last week, his victim said: “I just want to feel normal.”

The offending happened in the Bridgend area and involved a victim who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The victim said she did not tell anyone what had happened for a long time.

John Ryan, prosecuting, read out two statements in which the victim tried to describe the impact the offending has had on her life.

“I became a different person,” she said. “I just wanted to stay in my room.”

The victim, who is now an adult, said she did not want to leave the house.

She explained she tried to make herself “unattractive” when she reached puberty, so men would leave her alone.

“As I grew older I struggled to form relationships,” she said, adding that she is still unable to have an intimate relationship with a man.

“Even walking close to men in the town centre sends me into a panic. I cannot go into busy places.”

The woman said she “could not cope” and broke down when she tried to go for a night out with friends.

She said she tried to seek counselling but was told there would be a long waiting list and she began to harm herself.

“My mum knew something was wrong,” she said.

She tried counselling, but it did not help because she did not feel able to talk about what had happened.

She was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, and has panic attacks.

“I just want to feel normal,” she said.

The court heard Harknett had three previous convictions for sexually abusing a teenage girl, although that happened after these offences. He was jailed for 12 months and ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years. A lifelong sexual offences prevention order was made, which remains in place.

Harknett, 54, from Essex, denied rape, assault by penetration and three counts of sexual touching, but was found guilty by a jury.

Jeffrey Jones, for Harknett, said the period of offending was not sustained, there was not significant planning, and the defendant did not use aggression, bribery or threats.

He said Harknett had a “good work ethic”, adding: “At the time of these acts he was a man who had not come before the courts.”

Harknett was jailed for 16 years with an extra oneyear licence period.

Recorder Lucy Crowther made an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.

The defendant must register as a sex offender indefinitely.

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by sexual violence, visit the Live Fear Free website or call the helpline on 0808 80 10 800.