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Paedophile jailed for six years for rape of child

A paedophile has been jailed for more than six years for raping and sexually assaulting a child.

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Anthony Gooden, aged 50, preyed on his victim when she was as young as 12 over a three-year period.

But his sickening attacks only came to light when his victim walked into Wolverhampton Central Police station and told officers of his crimes.

It emerged in the hearing that the victim, who is now an adult, had not reported Gooden to the authorities because no-one believed her.

But eventually her relatives confronted him and he confessed his crimes, leading his victim to pluck up the courage to speak to police.

Gooden, of Hardie Court, Lanesfield, Wolverhampton, was interviewed and charged with a number of sexual offences.

Yesterday Wolverhampton Crown Court was told the disturbing details of his offences.

Mr Simon Philips, prosecuting, said: "It was a matter that came to light on June 18, 2013 when she went to the police station. She told officers that she had been abused by Gooden but hadn't said anything because friends and family didn't believe her."

Miss Kate Thomas, defending, described him as a regular church-going man, who had been made redundant from his specialised computer programming job in 2008.

But he was rumbled when the victim persisted with the allegations she was raped by him and he was confronted by her family. Gooden broke down and admitted to two attacks.

Miss Thomas said: "The defendant has struggled to contemplate the significance of the offending on his victim.

"It is tragedy within itself that at the age of 50 and with no previous conviction he now faces a lengthy prison sentence."

Gooden pleaded guilty to penetration of a child under 13-years-old, rape of a child and two sexual assaults.

He was jailed for six years and eight months and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Gooden is also banned from working with children or vulnerable adults.

As he was sentenced he twiddled his thumbs and hung his head as he was led to the cells by the dock officer.

Judge Robin Onions said as he sentenced Gooden: "I want to make it clear that the victim bares no responsibility whatsoever for the offences in this case.

"It is a tragedy that no-one believed her for so long."

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