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22 years’ jail for man who raped girl, 13, burned her with cigarette and treated her as ‘ashtray’

Published July 8, 2026 at 12:21 AM UTC

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A 53-year-old man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, burning her with a cigarette, and treating her as an "ashtray." The court heard that the man, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, had been grooming the girl for sexual acts over a period of time. The abuse began when the girl was 13, and the man exploited her curiosity about sexual matters. He took advantage of her trust and subjected her to repeated sexual assaults. In addition to the sexual abuse, the man inflicted physical harm by burning the girl with a cigarette, further traumatizing her. The court emphasized the severity of the man's actions, noting the significant psychological and physical harm caused to the young victim. The judge highlighted the man's breach of trust and the exploitation of the girl's vulnerability. The prosecution argued for a substantial sentence, citing the premeditated nature of the offenses and the lasting impact on the victim. The defense acknowledged the gravity of the offenses but requested a more lenient sentence, considering the man's age and health. After deliberation, the judge sentenced the man to 22 years in prison, reflecting the court's commitment to holding perpetrators of such heinous crimes accountable. The case underscores the importance of protecting children from sexual exploitation and the need for stringent penalties to deter similar offenses in the future.