David Drake of Thorpe Willoughby jailed for raping four year old

10:57am Saturday 3rd February 2007

A rapist of a child, who took an overdose rather than face justice, was today beginning a 12-year jail sentence.

David Drake, 61, of Thorpe Willoughby, near Selby, was convicted by a York Crown Court jury of four rapes, eight acts of indecency and two indecent assaults. The offences were committed over four years in the 1970s.

The court heard the rapes started when the girl was only four years old.

After beginning to give evidence in his own defence at court, he took 28 tablets and lay unconscious in hospital while the trial continued.

His barrister, Geraldine Kelly, said: "He suddenly felt isolated and said he was overcome with sheer terror and panic."

The Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, said: "You must have realised the case wasn't going very well for you. Indeed it wasn't. Her (the victim's) evidence was compelling. You were cruel to her and callous. You must now pay the reckoning."

Drake, of Sandway Avenue, denied all the charges.

In addition to the 12 years in prison, he will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life and was banned from ever working with children.

Miss Kelly said that in 30 years since the offences, he had shown no sexual interest in children. He did not admit that he had committed the offences.

He had no other convictions and was a hard-working man, who had built up a joinery business over several years.

But he had lost that since he was remanded in custody last month.

She handed in character references on Drake's behalf and said Drake's wife of eight years was standing by him.