NOV 2024 Dangerous predator met girl in park then raped, abused and groomed her
A dangerous predator who approached a teenage girl while she sat in a Rotherham Park and went on to rape and abuse her has been jailed.
“Manipulative” David Fish, 46, has been put behind bars for 12 years after Sheffield Crown Court heard how he targeted the girl and raped her and forced her to film sexual activity.
Prosecutor Ian Goldsack said the then 15-year-old girl was in care at the time she met Fish, who was 29 or 30, in a park. He read out her victim personal statement, in which she said: “At the time he was 29 or 30. It is now clear that he was obviously in the park hanging around with young children and attracting them into his flat.
“I was impressed with his status with the other kids… I attended more at his flat and before I knew it I was manipulated into a sexual relationship and that turned violent.”
The now adult woman addressed Fish and said: “I have found it so difficult to speak to the police and NCA [National Crime Agency] about what you did to me because I am embarrassed and ashamed about it. It has taken several years to talk to the police about what you did… The terrible things you did to me as a child are still clear in my mind and I still have nightmares.
“I will never be free of those horrible memories. You will have an end to your sentence and I will have them for life.”
The woman says her relationships, including those with her children, have struggled and she is still triggered by certain music she remembers playing in Fish’s flat. She said: “I lied to my friends and sister to protect you. I also lied to the people trying to look after me…”
The court was told Fish, of Kilnhurst, had earlier pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child and was found guilty by a jury of causing or inciting a child into prostitution or pornography, rape and unlawful wounding. Mr Goldsack said Fish had raped the girl while she was asleep.
Fish was remanded into custody following his conviction at his own request after being subjected to a “vigilante” attack, the court heard. Mitigating, Stephen Littlewood, said: “The defendant is a person who himself has suffered with mental health difficulties. They don’t excuse his behaviour but my submission is that it does somewhat reduce his culpability.
“At the time it appears he was not taking the appropriate medication…”
The court heard Fish was “isolated” and was seeking out “younger company”. Mr Littlewood said: “Since these offences, he seems to have led an isolated lifestyle and kept himself out of trouble. He suffers with PTSD.”
Her Honour Judge Rachael Harrison said: “She [the victim] has had to relive what you did to her. She has nightmares and physical and mental scars and what you did has affected her other relationships. During your abuse she was lying to protect you.”
The court heard Fish was spoken to by police during the time of the abuse and denied any wrongdoing. Judge Harrison said: “You were asking if there was anything you could do to stop her coming to your flat when you were demanding she come. She was besotted with you. You were demanding, manipulative and you groomed her so she did what you wanted.”
Fish will serve up to two-thirds of his 12-year sentence in custody before being released on licence.
Following the sentencing, NCA officer in the case, Steve Palmer, said: “Fish has faced justice seventeen years after targeting, manipulating and abusing a vulnerable young girl, thanks to the courage of the victim and the hard work of National Crime Agency investigators. Investigators listened to the victim’s account and subsequently identified corroborating evidence. Though the victim will always live with what Fish did, I hope his sentencing will bring her a measure of peace and allow her to move forward.”
“It’s never too late to report child sexual abuse, so I encourage victims to report to police what happened to them.”
Jeanette Smith, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, [Crown prosecution Service] said: “The cruel campaign of abuse and violence the victim suffered at the hands of David Fish is appalling. Fish used gifts, drugs and alcohol to groom, coerce and manipulate a child into entering a relationship with him, all for his own sexual gratification.
“The way he used threats and violence to then control the victim and enforce his demands for sex was completely despicable. This kind of abuse can cause lifelong physical and emotional trauma, and I would like to thank the victim in this case for her courage in coming forward and talking to the police about what happened to her. I hope she can find some comfort in knowing that this offender has now been brought to justice.
“The CPS will continue to relentlessly pursue justice for victims of abuse and will always seek to hold violent offenders to account for their crimes. I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and domestic violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police. It is never too late to seek justice.”
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/dangerous-predator-met-girl-park-30303731