A British man who showed his young victim pornography before sexually assaulting her has been convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison for his crimes.
Peter Dellbridge, 64, groomed a young girl, proceeding to sexually abuse the child extensively, as was revealed during a Newcastle Crown Court hearing.
Dellbridge pleaded not guilty but was convicted of 19 offenses, including raping a child under 13, by a jury.
He "took advantage of [the girl] in order to abuse her," stated Judge Penny Moreland in court documents obtained by the BBC. The Judge continued to describe how Dellbridge showed the child pornography on his computer, intending to "educate her about the things" he was "going to ask her to do".
"You told her this was what big girls did and she trusted you," the judge told Dellbridge.
Prosecutor David Povall reiterated his belief that there was "undoubtedly grooming" involved in Dellbridge's relationship with the child. Pornography was used as "context for further offenses".
Judge Moreland further noted that such abuse had an impact on children that was "lifelong and devastating", following the emergence of details of the case after Dellbridge's victim entered adulthood and told her partner and therapist about the abuse.
"Justice has finally been secured. It's never too late to report to us and allow us to put these types of criminals in front of the courts," said Det. Con Lucy Joyce of Northumbria Police while commending the victim for her bravery in speaking up.
"The clock never runs out on the support we can offer you," she continued.
A sexual harm prevention order was enacted against Dellbridge, limiting any future contact with children indefinitely, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
