Army cadet leader to be sentenced for raping girl

An army cadet leader is to be sentenced next month for raping a schoolgirl after driving to the Grantham area to have sex with her.

David Thorne had previously pleaded guilty to eight sexual offences, including five rape charges on a child aged under 13 and three offences of assault by penetration on the same victim, all of which happened on three dates in December 2023.

The 22-year-old admitted sexual contact had taken place but he claimed the girl had told him she was 17 years old.

Dismissing his claim at Lincoln Crown Court, Judge Simon Hirst said he had "no hesitation" in accepting the victim's account of events and told Thorne he would be sentenced on 13 June.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Thorne, of New Crescent, Cherry Willingham, Lincoln, met his young victim multiple times, driving from his home to pick her up from the Grantham area.

Giving evidence in court, the girl insisted she told the defendant her real age and said it was Thorne who claimed to be 17.

Thorne, who attended universities in Huddersfield and Hull, wore his army cadet uniform during one of his visits to see the girl, the court heard.

Prosecutor David Eager showed the court photographs of the girl, which he said had been taken around the period of the offences. He argued they clearly showed she was underage and not 17.

Judge Hirst dismissed Thorne's claims on Friday at a Newton Hearing, which seeks to determine the facts of the case when there is conflicting evidence. Thorne was remanded into custody.

Following the hearing, Det Con Victoria Oakes, of Lincolnshire Police, said she was "in awe of the victim".

She said: "The bravery and courage they have displayed over the last year has been truly incredible and I hope that this result offers some sense of closure.

"Thorne's actions are reprehensible and completely unacceptable in our society. His victim was clearly underage, and he knew that.

"Instead, he chose to plead ignorance and I am glad that the judge dismissed his claims and will sentence him for his crimes in due course."

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