Man who raped teen Good Samaritan and threatened to set her on fire if she told anyone jailed for 10 years

A 64-year-old man who raped a 13-year-old girl who helped him carry his shopping home, and then threatened to set her on fire if she told anyone has been locked up for 10 years.

When the teen described her terrifying ordeal to police she said she hadn’t been sure if she would “make it out”. And when officers arrived at Victor Thompson’s home to arrest him he said he was “surprised” they hadn’t already come for him.

Thompson subjected the teenager to a “cruel, wicked and brutal” sex attack which lasted for hours at his home in Headingley, Leeds, after taking advantage of her act of kindness.

A judge described the victim as having suffered the most extreme psychological harm he had ever seen in his career.

Thompson was given an extended prison sentence of 14 years, 10 of which are in custody, over the horrific attack which lasted more than three hours before she was allowed to leave.

Kitty Colley, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court the attack happened on April 18 this year.

While walking along Queenswood Drive the girl saw Thompson carrying shopping shortly after 3pm.

The prosecutor said: “The defendant appeared to be struggling so she offered to help and took it to his house nearby.”

The teenager went inside the property to drop off the bags but Thompson locked the door and then refused to let her out when she asked to leave.

Thompson then switched on the television and offered the girl a cigarette.

He began touching her when she sat down on the sofa, and continued to touch her despite her telling him to stop.

Thompson offered her beer and started to kiss her.

He then took her to the bedroom and carried out the rape offence.

Thompson threatened ‘I will set you on fire’

Afterwards he said to her: “If you go and tell anyone then I will set you on fire.”

Thompson got dressed and took the girl into the living room where he subjected her to a further degrading sexual assault.

The girl was then made to drink cider and Thompson refused to leave her alone.

He followed her when she went to the toilet and stood outside the room.

Thompson then said to her: “Every girl needs cash. If you come back I will give you some.”

The victim again asked to leave but Thompson refused, saying: “No, we are having fun.”

He made her go into the bedroom and continued the sexual abuse.

Thompson eventually let her go around 6.20pm when she told him that her mother would be worried but made her promise to go back and see him.

‘I wasn’t sure what would happen and if I would make it out’

As soon as she got out of the property she ran to a member of the public for help.

She asked the man if she could use his phone to dial 999.

The man later told police that she was crying and appeared to be in shock.

Describing the attack to police officers, she said: “I was scared. I wasn’t sure what would happen and if I would make it out.

“I have heard about paedophiles and people not making it out.”

Police officers went to Thompson’s home and arrested him after climbing in through a window.

Thompson told the officers: “I’m surprised you haven’t already come for me, if I’m honest.”

He went on to describe his offending as a “mistake” as he knew the girl was below the age of consent.

He also stated that it was “the best thing that ever happened to him.”

‘It was cruel, wicked and brutal’

Thompson pleaded guilty to rape, sexual assault and a further serious sexual assault.

The court heard Thompson is an alcoholic and has 30 previous convictions for 81 offences dating back to 1983.

Most of his convictions are for shoplifting. He has no previous convictions for sex offences.

Michael Collins, mitigating, described the offences being as out of character.

He said: “It is clear that the defendant has lived a relatively unhappy life.

“For most of the time he is alone and lacks any social interaction. There is no significant history of any relationships.

Mr Collins added: “He accepts responsibility for his offending.

“He is very upset at the damage he has caused to his young victim.”

Thompson was assessed as posing a high risk of sexual harm to children in a probation service report.

Sentencing, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC: “It is almost impossible to put into words the horror of what you did to that child on that afternoon.

“It was cruel, wicked and brutal.

“I have never come across a case in my judicial career where the psychological effect has been greater.”

‘Victim has been left understandably traumatised’

Thompson was told he must serve a 10-year custodial term, of which he must spend at least two-thirds in prison before he can apply to the parole board for release.

He must then serve an extended licence period of four years.

After the case, Detective Inspector Vicky Alexander, of Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Thompson subjected this vulnerable young girl to an absolutely appalling sexual attack after luring her back to his flat and plying her with alcohol.

“The victim has been left understandably traumatised by this ordeal, and specialist Safeguarding officers have been supporting her throughout the investigation and the court process.

“He is clearly a predatory sex offender who presents a risk to females, and we hope the significant sentence he has received will provide some suitable reassurance to the victim, her family and the wider community.

“Serious sexual offending such as this will always attract the highest level of investigation by specialist officers to ensure that offenders like Thompson are brought to justice.

“We hope successful prosecutions such as this will also help to give victims the confidence to come forward and report offences.”

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