Vile rapist jailed for 13 years

Anthony Hill was told by a judge that it had been “a vile betrayal of trust” of his vulnerable victim.

“You robbed that child of her innocence, her self-confidence and made it difficult for her to form and maintain relationships and she requires counselling,” said Judge Alan Conrad, QC.

He said that Hill, a 51-year-old grandfather, had groomed his victim and gone on to persistently abuse her when she was aged between 13 and 15.

Hill, of Church Street, Golborne, had pleaded guilty to nine offences involving two rapes and seven sex assaults.

Frank Dilllon, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that Hill began raping the girl when she was 13 and his course of behaviour continued over two and a half years, sometimes taking her to a hotel.

The matters only came to light last summer and he was arrested on August 30.

He interviewed he made some admissions of sexual activity with her but claimed she had been “making the running”. He admitted having taken photographs of her naked or in her underwear.

Judge Conrad ordered Hill, who has previous convictions for possessing firearms, assault and handling, to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

He also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Paul Becker, defending, said: “He accepts he has performed dreadful crimes on her.”