The girl’s mother was sentenced for turning a blind eye to what was happening in the family home for years.
Three generations of a family have been jailed for sexually abusing a young girl in her own home that started when she was just six years old. Her father, grandfather and two brothers were convicted of the horrific offences at Hove Crown Court.
The girl’s mother has also been locked up after the court heard she battered her daughter, locked her in a cupboard and taped her mouth up after she spoke out about the abuse. The girl’s sister was also physically abused by the family.
Now a teenager, the victim said she remembered being attacked from the age of six, including being repeatedly raped by her father and two brothers and sexually assaulted by her grandfather. The Mirror reports that she was burnt with cigarettes, beaten with a horse whip and spat on, the court heard.
She also had any money given to her on special occasions snatched by her mother. The horrific catalogue of abuse was revealed when the youngster was age 12 and told her teacher about what was happening to her and she was too afraid to go home.
She told police: “I told how my parents keep abusing me and they’ve been doing it for years. Then I started explaining all the sexual stuff.”
The family members cannot be named due to legal reasons. The father, 43, was convicted of five counts of rape of a child under 13; one count of sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13; three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13; one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three counts of cruelty to a person under 16.
The mother, also 43, was found guilty of four counts of cruelty to a person under 16; two counts of false imprisonment and one count of perverting the course of justice.
The grandfather, 70, was convicted of one count of sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13 and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13. The older brother, 23, was found guilty of four counts of rape of a child under 13; one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The younger brother, 20, was convicted of four counts of rape of a child under 13; two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13; one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
They have been jailed for a combined total of more than 100 years.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Harbour previously said: “This has been a complex investigation that has had a profound impact on the two victims. Our priority continues to be ensuring their welfare and safeguarding in this highly traumatic and distressing case.
“We have worked alongside partner agencies to ensure the ongoing safeguarding of the young victims. Tackling violence against women and girls is a top priority for Sussex Police. We encourage all victims of rape and serious sexual offences to report their experience to us.
“Our officers have been determined to get justice in this case, and we are pleased with the guilty verdicts returned by the jury. We urge the public not to speculate about the case online as this may jeopardise the victims’ legal right to anonymity.”