A sentence of four years' imprisonment for digital and oral rape of a five year old child by a 21-22 year old offender was manifestly excessive where the offender had an intellectual disability reducing culpability, voluntarily confessed before any complaint was made, offered maximum cooperation, had no prior convictions, and showed extreme remorse. Three years' imprisonment suspended after six months with probation including treatment was substituted. The case confirms that while serious sexual offences against children require actual custody, the combination of intellectual disability, voluntary disclosure, and cooperation can warrant a very substantial reduction from the otherwise appropriate range.
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