Drug fiend dad gave heroin to girl, 13, and took her to remote park to rape her
A sick middle-aged man drugged a vulnerable 13-year-old girl and took her to the woods to sexually abuse her, a court heard.
Christopher Wade, of no fixed abode, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday after being found guilty at trial of one count of rape, one count of assault by penetration and a third count of sexual assault.
The 55-year-old was visiting the town of Southport last year and had then entered the town centre to source some drugs.
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The Liverpool ECHO reported that he spotted the 13-year-old girl sitting on a bench so approached and engaged her in conversation.
Wade asked the girl if she wanted a drink, and despite knowing she must have been underage, he bought her a bottle of vodka.
The 55-year-old then walked the girl to a wooded area, where the victim told Wade she was in care and why, and detailed that she had had a stressful day. Wade told the girl he would have taken her to [a] house but she “would not have liked it because you are so young”.
He then took the victim behind a bush and used a plastic bottle to create a device for inhaling heroin. The girl told him she had never done that drug before but tried some, and said it made her feel “out of it”.
Wade then proceeded to commit sexual acts on the girl and then rape her. He then took her to a bench and left her on it in the early hours of the morning, after spending around three hours together.
A local taxi driver saw the victim on the bench and was so concerned that he pulled over and got out to see if she was alright. She immediately disclosed that she had been raped, so he called emergency services and assisted in getting her to safety.
A victim personal statement read by the prosecution detailed that the victim still struggles to sleep and has flashbacks to the attack. The girl said she just wants to get on with her life and focus on school, and wants to become a paramedic so she can help people.
She said she “blames herself everyday” and asks why it happened to her. It read: “Some days I just want the pain to go away. It is a trauma I will never forget.”
Wade was sentenced to 12 years in custody, and a sexual harm prevention order was implemented indefinitely.
He will also be subject to notification requirements for the rest of his life.
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, www.victimsupport.org.uk.
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