Warning: this article includes details some people may find distressing.

A child rapist who “degraded and humiliated” his young victim has been jailed for 16 years.

Patrick James Hinchcliffe, 29, from Harrogate, subjected the girl to a “terribly violent” rape and sexually assaulted her about 10 years ago when he was 18 years’ old, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Jayne Beckett said that Hinchcliffe put his hand over the girl’s mouth as he sexually assaulted her while she pleaded with him to stop.

She said that Hinchcliffe had subjected the younger teenage victim to “utter humiliation”.

Ms Beckett said it “took some time” for the victim to report Hinchcliffe, but she finally came forward to police in January 2020. Hinchcliffe wasn’t charged until April 2024.

Hinchcliffe, of Grove Park Terrace, Harrogate, was charged with multiple sexual offences against the girl including two counts of rape, sexual assault and sexual activity with a child.

He admitted three offences and was acquitted of three other allegations after a trial. He was found guilty of the remaining charges including two counts of rape and sexual assault.

He appeared for sentence at the Crown Court today (July 10).

'Severe psychological harm'

Ms Beckett said the victim had been caused “severe psychological harm” which “couldn’t be worse really”.

The victim, who can’t be named for legal reasons, told the court that her adolescence had been damaged beyond repair by Hinchcliffe’s heinous acts when she was a “scared little girl”

Defence barrister Andrew Stranex said that Hinchcliffe had “long-term” mental-health problems and was “probably” on the autistic spectrum, although there had been no diagnosis.

He said that Hinchcliffe had no previous convictions and that prison was going to be a “massive shock” for him.

Judge Sean Morris told Hinchcliffe: “It’s quite clear that you robbed (the victim) of her childhood.”

He blasted Hinchcliffe for having the “audacity to put her through a trial” and told him: “For the rest of her life she will, from time to time, revisit the darkness that you brought into her life, but hopefully she will be able to push that aside and it will become less and less.”

He added: “It seems to me that you may be on the autistic spectrum, but that would not affect your culpability because you are quite bright and you know right from wrong.”

Hinchcliffe received a 16-year prison sentence and was placed on the sex-offenders’ register for life. He was also made subject to a 25-year sexual-harm prevention order.