Former soldier Lee Buckle jailed for 18 years for raping girl under 13 after earlier allegations were not prosecuted
A former soldier was jailed for 18 years in 2017 after being convicted of a string of horrific sexual offences against children, including repeatedly raping a girl aged under 13.
Lee Buckle, then 30, was convicted at Hull Crown Court of six counts of rape of a girl under 13, attempted rape of a girl under 13 and four counts of indecent assault.
The court heard that allegations involving two victims had first been made in 2011, but they were not prosecuted at the time.
Buckle was still serving in the Army when he later admitted sexually abusing another girl. Following that admission, the earlier allegations were revisited and he was eventually brought before the courts.
During his trial, jurors heard disturbing evidence about the abuse suffered by the children.
One of the girls was first raped after Buckle grabbed her wrists and pushed her against a wall.
She was crying during the attack, but Buckle told her to “shut up” and threatened to kill her if she told anyone what he had done.
The consequences for his victims continued long after the abuse ended.
In statements read to the court by prosecutor Richard Thompson, the girls described the devastating psychological damage caused by Buckle’s crimes.
One spoke of suffering anxiety, panic attacks and depression and said she had turned to alcohol and drugs in an attempt to cope with what had happened to her.
Another described experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and frequent night terrors.
She told the court she felt as though her childhood had been taken away from her, with the trauma remaining with her as she grew older.
Recorder Simon Jackson QC also raised concerns about the way the original allegations had been handled.
When sentencing Buckle, the judge said he could not understand why the allegations had not been prosecuted when they were originally reported.
Following his convictions for the child sex offences, Buckle was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The case dates back to 2017.
Sarah’s Law – Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme: Parents, carers and guardians can ask police whether someone who has contact with a child is known to pose a risk of sexual harm.