A rapist who also sexually abused a young girl has been locked up for 17 years after being convicted of a string of sex offences.

Keith Sterling’s degrading abuse took place several years ago while he was living in Darlington.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the sex offender had significantly damaged the lives of his victims and he still continues to deny his offences.

Rebecca Brown, prosecuting, said one of the rapes happened when the victim was sleeping.

In a victim personal statement, the woman said Sterling’s abuse had impacted on her mental health and would take the pain ‘to her grave’.

The child victim said Sterling’s abuse had left her struggling to come to terms what had happened to her and she still struggled to put into words the impact that his abuse had on her and remains mistrustful of male adults.

Keith SterlingKeith Sterling (Image: Durham Constabulary)

The 46-year-old, of Roker Place, Darlington, was found guilty of rape and sexual assault on a child following a trial at the same court.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said his client maintains his innocence and has made his stance clear in his pre-sentence report.

He added: “The reality of the contents of his pre-sentence report means that submissions on his behalf will be short.

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“The defendant continues to deny, as he has done throughout the proceedings, any responsibility the offending.”

Recorder Aisha Wadoodi sentenced Sterling to a total of 17 years for all offences.

“The prosecution submitted that some of the offences were done in drink but there was a repeated pattern of sexual offending which was reflected by the jury’s verdicts,” she said.

Sterling was also made subject of life-long restraining orders, sexual harm prevention order and was told he would have to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life.