Monster rapist bribed young girl with ‘treat’ video game | UK | News

A “monstrous” rapist who bribed a teenage girl with a video game has been put behind bars for historic sex crimes. Lewis Nugent groomed the boy, saying he was “special” and his “favorite,” and also encouraged his abuse by saying he could play video games if he touched him sexually.

He will now spend Christmas in prison for sex crimes, including three rapes committed against a girl in his youth. The actor, now 27, was found guilty of all nine charges he faced following a trial at Durham Crown Court in early November. However, when he returned to court to be sentenced on Thursday, December 18, he was told at the hearing that he denied all crimes.

The judge said his continued protest of his innocence helped form the view that the defendant remained a potential danger to young girls.

Prosecutor Sam Ponniah said Nugent warned his victim not to say anything about what was happening and put his hand over her mouth as one of the rapes took place, while the court was told the victim was physically ill in beds repeatedly and was therefore in trouble.

In her impact statement read to the court, the victim said she was “tortured by the memories” of her experiences at the hands of Nugent, and that even the mention of his name made her feel sick.

He said not a day goes by without him remembering events that affected and desensitized his education.

As a result, she now finds it difficult to trust any man, even medical professionals.

However, she said she was relieved that Nugent, whom she saw as a “monster”, would no longer harm her.

Nugent, of Saturn Close, Easington Colliery, was found guilty of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Victoria Lamballe, on behalf of the defendant, presented to the court character statements given by long-time friends and parents.

He said he also had a psychologist report.

Referring to the defendant’s pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Service, in which he continued to deny his guilt, Ms Lamballe said: “Unsurprisingly, he continues to protest his innocence and therefore there is relatively little I can say on his behalf.

“Nothing I say is intended to belittle what she put him through.”

Ms Lamballe added that this was the defendant’s first experience of the criminal justice system, he had no previous convictions and was facing his first experience of custody.

Judge Nathan Adams told the defendant that despite his denials he was unanimously convicted by the jury on all charges.

He described his actions as “widespread and persistent” and considers himself a dangerous criminal, especially to young girls.

But he said given his age at the time of the crime, he should have sentenced the defendant as if he were being treated as a teenager.

Imposing a six-year sentence followed by a four-year extended license period, the judge said Nugent must spend at least two-thirds, or four years, behind bars before being released by the Parole Board.

However, he may have to spend all six years of his sentence in prison.

The judge said that if the defendant was a young adult when he committed the crimes, the prison sentence would be 12 years.