A couple who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a young girl after drugging her have been sentenced to jail. The judge described Simon Parsons, 44, and Rebecca Dow, 39, as ‘two of the most degenerate individuals to have appeared before this court.’ The couple denied the repeated sexual assault of the victim, who was under 13, but were found guilty of a series of offences following a trial.
During sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, their actions were described as running ‘the gamut of depravity.’ Parsons was said to have an ‘unhealthy relationship’ with sex and possessed a ‘museum-grade collection’ of sex toys.
The girl was raped by Parsons while Dow held her hand, and they sexually assaulted her and engaged in sex with each other in her presence. They used drugs to ‘bring the victim to their level,’ and Parsons threatened to ‘kill her’ if she ever disclosed the abuse.
Judge David Wynn Morgan said: ‘The facts speak for themselves, and what they say is that you are two of the most degenerate individuals to have appeared before this court. ‘The evidence of the victim is that you have both caused incalculable harm to her in the pursuit of your perverted sexual gratification. ‘You treated her as some animated sex toy.’
Parsons, of Arlington Crescent, Llanrumney, Cardiff, was found guilty of two counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, one count of assault by penetration, four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Dow, of Tregwilym Road, Rogerstone, Newport, was found guilty of two counts of aiding and abetting rape, four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and four counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. Both Parsons and Dow continue to deny the offences.
Parson was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment with an extended licence period of eight years. Dow was also sentenced to 16 years imprisonment. Both defendants will serve two-thirds of their custodial sentences before they are eligible for parole. They were both made subject to sexual harm prevention orders and restraining orders.