Abuser used martial arts to pin down victim
SEX ASSAULTS AND RAPES END WITH 18-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE
AN abuser who repeatedly subjected a child to multiple rapes and sex assaults has been jailed for 18 years.
Darren Looby used his “considerable knowledge” of a martial art to overpower the victim, whose wrists were often shackled with either fabric ties or “sex toy” handcuffs.
The 39-year-old was convicted at a recent Leicester Crown Court trial of 18 sex crimes upon the child, who was groomed, manipulated and abused in Loughborough, from the age of 11.
Looby, of Lewsey Close, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, and formerly of nearby Beeston, denied all the specimen charges, representing a course of conduct.
Sentencing, Judge Keith Raynor said: “This was repeat offending and caused psychological harm, degradation and humiliation.”
He said the complainant described being pinned down during various ordeals, with the use of jiu jitsu.
Looby repeatedly told the victim “Just keep it a secret” and “don’t tell anyone.”
The judge said the defendant had “complete dominance and control” over the child and the abuse occurred “several times a month.”
He added: “You utterly corrupted the child and the abuse continued for five or six years with a pattern of degrading behaviour.
“You used your considerable knowledge of jiu jitsu to overpower the victim and used the handcuffs to enhance your sexual experience.”
Looby also used “mock friendship punctuated by moments of cruelty,” towards the victim.
Judge Raynor told the defendant he would serve a minimum of 12 years of the 18-year sentence behind bars, before the parole board could consider if he was safe enough for release.
His licence period was extended by four years and he was placed on a sexual harm prevention order.
The court heard that Looby’s offending in Loughborough continued until 2018 when the victim – now aged in the early 20s – left to attend university elsewhere and eventually summoned the courage to report the matter to the police.
Kevin Dent QC, mitigating, said Looby had no previous convictions and had always “worked hard,” having held responsible positions in IT.
He had also assisted with voluntary work on charitable projects.
Detective Constable Emma Burrows, of the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, was praised by the judge for a “thorough and professional” investigation.
Afterwards, she said: “I’m pleased Looby is serving a significant sentence and hope this will provide a degree of closure to the victim. I also hope the fact he’s been jailed for his crimes – the first of which happened 10 years ago – will encourage any other victims of sexual abuse who have not yet come forward to speak out and seek justice.”