Christopher Whittleton of Gazeley in Suffolk jailed for rape

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Friday via prison video link was Christopher Whittleton of Highwood Road, Gazeley.

He had previously been convicted of two counts of raping a child when she was under 13, rape of the child between the ages of 13 and 17 and another count of rape of the same girl.

The offences took place up until the spring of 2012.

The court heard a statement from the victim, which said: “I often find myself wondering what my life would be life if I had not had this experience as a child.

Christopher Whittleton of Highwood Road, Gazeley (Image: Suffolk Police)

“The psychological stress I have endured over the years and still continues to this day is nothing short of tortuous.”

She added that she began self-harming because she felt “completely numb” after the attacks.

The victim added: “This feeling I must punish myself is a direct result of what happened to me.

“As a child I tried to end my life twice as I thought this would stop the abuse.

“I wanted to protect my mum and didn’t want her to find out.”

The victim explained that she experiences debilitating flashbacks: “I see everything as if I was there again: I can smell him, I can feel him on my body, I can’t breathe, I freeze.

“I experience excruciating pain as if it was happening again.”

The court heard the defendant would tell the girl it was her fault and that he would make her suffer by hurting the people she loved in front of her.

The court heard the first rape happened in a ditch.

In mitigation, the court heard there is no evidence he committed any further sexual offences since the end of the offending period.

Whittleton showed no emotion as he was sentenced by Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley, who thanked the victim for her courage and dignity throughout the case.