A US army man has been jailed for raping a 12-year-old autistic girl in Wiltshire.
After engaging in sexual conversations on Snapchat, Dennis Rocha drove 140 miles from his base at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk to meet up with the youngster in April this year.
The 18-year-old collected the girl – who had told him she was 13 years of age – from her home address and took her to a secluded spot, where the pair had intercourse in the back of his car.
Swindon Crown Court today (Wednesday) heard that the sexual activity was consensual and no force was used, something confirmed in the victim’s interview with detectives.
Chris Smyth, prosecuting, told of how the girl said that it “scared her a little” when Rocha held onto her hair and pushed her mouth onto his penis but stopped when she felt uncomfortable.
“Other than that, she had wanted it to happen”, he added.
Mr Smyth said that during the encounter, which lasted approximately one hour, the pair had intercourse numerous times. On one of the occasions, the condom slipped off and he ejaculated inside her vagina.
In her victim personal statement provided to the police at the time, the girl said: “I’m worried I might be pregnant and I won’t find out until next week.”
She also said she was feeling angry with herself and regrets it, and said that she’s sorry it affected others – including her mother, who she said wanted her to be older and in love when she lost her virginity.
In her own victim personal statement, the girl’s mother said that her daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was just four years old – and to this day struggles to cope.
She said her daughter has difficulties with communication, won’t speak to strangers, can’t make eye contact, doesn’t socialise with friends and can’t deal with mainstream education.
The Californian US Air Force airman was described as a “kind-hearted and gentle young man” in several character references provided to the court, according to defence barrister Sam Jones.
“It was only when he returned to base did the reality of what he had done sink in”, he said as he described the incident as having the “hallmarks of impulsivity”.
Adding that Rocha is “genuinely remorseful for his actions” and told Judge Townsend that the fact his victim was consenting to the sexual activity was of “some significance”.
Mr Jones asked the court to take into account his client’s youth, inexperience, naivety and lack of maturity – coupled with his own sexual inexperience and the loneliness of being away from home.
Addressing the court on a video link from Bullingdon Prison, Rocha said: “First off I just want to apologise to the family and anyone else I have hurt because of this incident.
“I wish this never happened… and I am so sorry, I hope you can forgive me and have mercy upon me.”
Sentencing Rocha for two counts of rape of a child aged under 13, Judge Townsend jailed him for six years and eight months – and imposed a one-year licence extension period.
He said: “You had ample opportunity to think twice about what you were doing but you persisted.
“You knew that she was far younger than you and obviously vulnerable. The fact she agreed to what was happening is no mitigation due to her age.”
The defendant was also slapped with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders’ register on release. He was also placed on the DBS barred list.
Investigating officer DC Amanda Lord, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Rocha instigated this encounter with the victim despite knowing she was underage.
“He knew what he was doing was illegal and had ample opportunity to cease contact with the victim, but continued and took advantage of her for his own gain.
“We take offences like these incredibly seriously and we will always look to protect children from predators such as Rocha and ensure perpetrators of sexual offences are put before the courts.
“I’d also like to commend the victim for her bravery and courage in speaking to us.”
