Southampton: Two 'predators' jailed for rape of teenage girl

Today Damian Andre Martin and Gurdev Singh Rathore have been jailed following the incident in Southampton that left the victim "in fear for her life" after she was "detained" in a flat and further abused.

They had met the girl in St Mary Street on December 26 last year, with Martin raping and her and sexually assaulting the teenager.

She was then taken to an address on Chapel Road where Rathore sexually assaulted the girl overnight into December 27.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Christopher Parker said: "That detention of her in those terrible circumstances must have been unimaginably horrific for those close to her, but for her as a 13-year-old child to have been raped and taken to a flat, abused further sexually in turn by the pair of you must have been - as she describes it - absolutely horrendous and she was in fear of her life."

He told Martin that his behaviour was so dreadful that he could not be considered to be safe around young, vulnerable children.

Rathore and Martin both pleaded guilty to the charges against them and have now been jailed for a combined total of 18 and a half years.

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Martin, 48, of Millbrook Road West, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for rape, sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration, assault by beating and taking a child so as to keep him or her from a person having lawful control.

Martin will also have a five-year extended licence and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life.

Damian Andre Martin (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

Rathore, 50, of Milton Road, was handed a four and a half year term for sexual assault and causing a female 13 or over to engage in a non-penetrative sexual activity.

Rathore will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.

READ MORE: Rapist jailed for 16 years after repeatedly attacking woman

Gurdev Singh Rathore (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

Police Staff Investigator Rebecca Stevens from Hampshire police's Western Child Abuse Investigation Team led the investigation.

She said: “We are pleased with this sentence today, which comes following a complex and lengthy investigation.

"Many detectives, officers and police staff have worked hard to secure justice for the victim in this case, and it is thanks to the overwhelming evidence against Rathore and Martin that they had no choice but to plead guilty.  

“Above all else, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the victim – without her courage and support throughout the course of this investigation, we would not have secured these guilty pleas and this sentence today.

“The actions of Rathore and Martin were incredibly predatory and extremely concerning, and we are pleased that these two dangerous individuals will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison for what they have done."

Yellow Door can offer a range of help and support. Visit their website at yellowdoor.org.uk or contact them on 023 8063 6312.