For offences of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child under 16 with the aggravation of anal intercourse (maximum life imprisonment), involving 98 offences against 12 victims and prior convictions for similar offences, a head sentence of 17 years (before discount for pleas and cooperation) was appropriate, with a discount of 3.5 years warranted for early pleas of guilty and significant cooperation with police. The absence of violence, coercion, or a special relationship of trust (parent/teacher) distinguishes such cases from the worst category. Intra-familial sexual abuse is regarded as more serious than extra-familial abuse because children are violated where they should feel most safe.
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