Ethan Towers, 27, and John Watson, 28, were described by a judge as “dangerous and a risk to the public” at Cambridge Crown Court before being jailed for life
Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment following the rape of a baby on five separate occasions last summer.
Ethan Towers, 27, and John Watson, 28, were branded “dangerous and a risk to the public” by a judge before receiving their sentences.
Cambridge Crown Court was told how Towers, from St Ives, Cambridgeshire, carried out five rapes against the infant while Watson, from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, encouraged the abuse.
Judge Mark Bishop noted that the “youth of the baby was extreme”. Towers received a minimum term of 12 years and five months, while Watson was handed 13 years and four months on Wednesday (April 1).
The court heard that Towers had sent indecent images of children to Watson. Watson, who was already subject to a sexual harm prevention order due to previous convictions, had also exchanged explicit images with another child under the age of 16.
Towers pleaded guilty to five counts of rape, while Watson admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The 28 year old further pleaded guilty to multiple offences relating to indecent images of children and engaging in sexual communication with a child.
Alongside their life sentences, both men were issued with restraining orders and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228, reports the Express.
The judge read aloud a victim statement from the infant’s mother in court, in which she described how the ordeal had left her feeling “more isolated and fearful than ever”. A victim impact statement from a child who had been contacted by both men via social media was also read aloud by the judge.
The young victim expressed feeling “set free” following the convictions of Towers and Watson.
The judge stated he was “satisfied” that both men were “dangerous and a risk to the public”. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed it had referred the matter to the relevant safeguarding authorities.
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