A depraved paedophile raped a little girl after he “hypnotised” her, a court heard. William Chiplin, from Abergavenny in South Wales, abused the child on numerous occasions, including one during which she clung to her toy unicorn, Newport Crown Court heard.
Judge Celia Hughes said 21-year-old Chiplin — who was aged between 15 and 17 at the time of his attacks — attacked the girl “on a series of occasions”. He would first show pornography in order to “normalise” sexual behaviour after which he would force her to strip naked before raping her, the judge added. The court heard the abuse came to light when the girl became “visibly distressed” as she watched television.
After being asked by her mother what was wrong, she opened up and explained how Chiplin had “hypnotised” her, made her watch sexual videos, and rubbed against her while she held her unicorn.
Chiplin, of Highfield Crescent, was also caught with two Category A indecent images — the most serious type — on his phone, featuring the abuse of girls aged about 10.
In her victim personal statement the girl said she sometimes lay in bed and cried when she remembered the abuse. She had been struggling in school because of the trauma, she added.
Her mother said: “The abuse stole not only her innocence but her sense of safety, trust and stability. She now carries an anxiety that no child should ever have to carry, one that seeps into her relationships, her sleep, her education, and her view of herself.
“She has moments of strength, but also deep moments of confusion, fear and anger. She questions who she can trust, why this has happened to her, and whether justice truly exists.”
Chiplin was convicted at trial of rape, sexually assaulting a child aged under 13, sexually assaulting a child aged under 13 by penetration, and possession of Category A images of children.
Barrister Ieuan Bennett said Chiplin had no previous convictions and had been praised in character references from his “supportive family”.
He said his client was “immature for his age”, while the judge said there had been a suggestion of neurodiversity but no evidence of a formal diagnosis.
Judge Hughes said the victim had been plagued by regular nightmares and severe anxiety attacks because of the abuse.
She noted Chiplin had refused to take responsibility, falsely claiming that the girl was “manipulated” into making the allegations. He also lied that he downloaded indecent images “by mistake”.
The judge went on: “I note that you left school having failed your basic exams, and then after enrolling on an electrical installation course at college were required to leave as you were unable to pass English and maths when you tried to retake them.
“You have had very little experience of any paid employment and until your remand in custody you were in receipt of universal credit.”
Judge Hughes imposed a jail term of six years and three months. Chiplin must serve two-thirds of the sentence in custody before being released on licence.
He must then register as a sexual offender indefinitely and was made subject to a restraining order to protect the victim.