Rapist pensioner is snared on UK return
JAILED FOR 15 YEARS AFTER SERVING TIME IN INDONESIA
A PENSIONER will spend most of the rest of his life behind bars after repeatedly raping a young girl and seriously sexually abusing another.
Henry Park – known as Harry – was arrested in March as he walked through the terminal gate at Heathrow airport.
The Saltburn 73-year-old had been deported from Indonesia where he had served an eight-year jail sentence for the possession of indecent images of children.
The former engineer was brought to Teesside where he told his barrister that he was guilty of everything his two victims accused him of and that he is sorry.
Yesterday, Teesside Crown Court heard the horrific details of the grooming, sexual abuse and rape of Park’s first victim, who said she cannot remember any of her childhood before the age of 6, when the sexual abuse started.
Park bowed his head as he listened via videolink from HMP Durham’s F-wing.
Prosecutor Robin Turton said Park sexually abused the girl at, “every opportunity he got.”
When she turned 10, he began raping her, telling her that girls of her age in other countries are married and have children.
When the girl became a teenager, she said that he became jealous of friendships and boyfriends she had.
Park also began taking explicit photos of her and began abusing a second teenage girl – telling them both that the pictures were for a Brazilian magazine.
He plied the girls with Bacardi and bought them underwear for the photoshoots he held in his flat in Saltburn.
When his first victim turned 15, she became pregnant. She later told police that she suspected the baby was Park’s, as she used protection with her then-boyfriend. Her mum took her to have an abortion.
By the time she was 16, Mr Turton told the court that Park’s behaviour, “had got too much” and the girl confided in her dad, telling him that Park, “was a pervert.” But she was reluctant to report the abuse to the police.
In a statement, the first victim said: “I don’t even know where to start. How can I possibly write what it’s like before I was six when the
abuse started – an innocent young girl with my whole life ahead of me.
“I was very strict with my own daughter because I never wanted her to suffer like I suffered.
“I wouldn’t let her father give her a bath for example, which is a completely innocent act.
“From a young age I’ve drunk alcohol to excess to block this from my mind. I’ve also taken recreational drugs for the same reason.
“I never feel good enough for anyone especially my husband and children. I’ve always felt so worthless.
“I have not coped at all with the affects of the abuse.
“For many years I hated this man. But hate is too strong a word. I pity him.
“My mental health breakdown was too much for my marriage and in the end it broke down.”
Park, of Kepulauan Riau, in Indonesia, pleaded guilty to three counts of the rape of a girl under 13; four counts of making an indecent image of a girl and one count of sexually assaulting a child during
the 1990s.
Defending, Peter Sabiston, said that Park had never denied what he had done and so his victims knew there would not be a trial.
Mr Sabiston said that his client was in poor health and uses a wheelchair because of his arthritis: “He faces the majority of the balance of his life in custody. His remorse and contrition is genuine.” Mr Sabiston said that Park is an educated man with “self understanding” and that he acknowledges the personal trauma he has caused his victims:
He said: “He speaks six languages. He hopes to assist those who do not speak English, to integrate and he is working towards a kitchen qualification in prison.”
Recorder Paul Reid told Park: “There are two victims and the damage does not end with them – it extends to their families. The first victim’s personal impact statement gives a harrowing picture of the suffering she has endured, and the suffering her family has endured.
Park was jailed for 13 years and will spend an additional year on licence after he is released.
After the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Deb Fenny from Cleveland Police said: “This has been a very stressful ordeal for the victims who were naturally traumatised by Park’s offending against them while they were just children.
“They showed great courage in coming forward and in attending court where they were present today for sentencing and I admire their bravery. I also hope the sentence will bring them some comfort as they attempt to move forward with their lives. We all wish them well for the future.”
She added: “Park may have thought he’d got away with his despicable actions all those years agoespecially as he had relocated thousands of miles away – but everyone involved in the investigation was driven by a shared determination to do all they could to achieve justice for the victims.
“I’d urge anyone affected by similar abuse – no matter how long ago it may have taken place – to report to police if they feel able.
“We will always place victims at the heart of our enquiries and can offer specialist support.
“You can report night or day to Cleveland Police on the 101 number.”
For many years I hated this man. But hate is too strong a word. I pity
him.
One of Park’s
victims