A court has heard how a 16-year-old boy from Birmingham used a mobile game to distract a six-year-old girl as he raped her. The victim's devastated mother said watching the CCTV footage was the most difficult thing she has ever had to do.
The clip left her 'riddled with anxiety' after she heard Harvey Charlton tell her daughter the chilling words: 'let's do what we always do'.
Mother's heartbreak
After the incident, the mother said the change in her daughter had been 'heartbreaking'. She said her personality had completely changed from 'outgoing and happy' to 'cautious and needy'. The girl now struggles with bedtimes and has started speaking in a more 'baby-like manner'.
The mother also stated that her daughter had been accused of exaggerating, which added to her distress.
Court proceedings
Charlton, now aged 18, from Garretts Green Road, Sheldon, was found guilty of rape but admitted further offences of sexually assaulting a child under 13 and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. He was sentenced to a hospital order on Wednesday, May 20, at Birmingham Crown Court.
Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Smith KC said: 'The camera footage reveals, I am sure, that Harvey's offending involved him making careful choices that day and persistently trying to cajole and distract (the girl).'
He added: 'His use of a mobile device and encouraging her to play a game whilst he offended are clear examples that can only be explained, in my assessment, by his seeking sexual gratification.'
Ongoing risk
Judge Smith noted that Charlton had demonstrated regret but continued to minimise his offending. He concluded that Charlton posed an ongoing high level of risk. Consequently, he made him the subject of a restriction order. Charlton will not be able to be released from hospital unless approved by the Secretary of State for Justice.
