A “monster” rapist who bribed a young girl with a video game has been put behind bars for historic sex offences. Lewis Nugent groomed the child by telling her she was “special” and she was his “favourite” and would also incentivise his abuse by telling her she could play on a video game if she touched him sexually.
He will now spend Christmas in prison for sexual offences, including three of rape, committed while he was a teenager on a girl. The now 27-year-old was convicted of all nine charges he faced after a Durham Crown Court trial in early November. But on his return to the court to be sentenced on Thursday, December 18, the hearing was told he remains in denial of all the offences.
The judge said the fact he continues to protest his innocence helped him to form the view that the defendant remains a potential danger to young girls.
Sam Ponniah, prosecuting, said Nugent warned his victim not to say anything about what took place and he placed his hand over her mouth while one of the rapes took place, while the court was told she was physically sick on a bed after another, for which she got into trouble.
In her impact statement, which she read to the court, the victim said she had been “tortured by the memories” of her experiences at the hands of Nugent, with even the mention of his name making her feel sick.
She said never a day goes by without her recalling what took place, which affected her education and de-sensitised her.
As a result, she now struggles to trust any male, even medical professionals.
But she said she is relieved Nugent, who she considers a “monster”, will no longer harm her.
Nugent, of Saturn Close, Easington Colliery, was convicted of three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and three of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Victoria Lamballe, for the defendant, presented character testimonials to the court on his behalf, made by long-term friends and his parents.
She said there was also a psychologist’s report.
Referring to the defendant’s pre-sentence report, prepared by the Probation Service, in which he maintains his denials of guilt, Miss Lamballe said: “Unsurprisingly, he continues to protest his innocence and, therefore, there’s relatively little I can say on his behalf.
“Anything I do say is not intended to minimise what he inflicted upon her.”
Miss Lamballe added that this is the defendant’s first experience of the criminal justice system, having no previous convictions, and he was facing his first taste of custody.
Judge Nathan Adams told the defendant that despite his denials he was convicted on all counts unanimously by the jury.
He described his actions as, “pervasive and persistent” and considers him to be a dangerous offender, particularly to young girls.
But he said he had to sentence the defendant as if he was being dealt with as a youth, given his age at the time of the offending.
Imposing a prison sentence with a six-year custodial element, to be followed by four years’ extended licence period, the judge said Nugent must spend at least two-thirds, or four years, behind bars before being eligible for release by the Parole Board.
But he may have to spend all six years of the sentence in prison.
The judge said had the defendant been a young adult when he committed the offences the custodial element would have been 12 years.
