A sentence of 7 years and 6 months' imprisonment for persistent sexual abuse of a child under 16 (maximum 25 years) was upheld where the offending involved a gross breach of trust, coercive control over a vulnerable homeless child in the offender's care, physical force, and degrading treatment over a 9-10 month period. The sentencing judge's remarks on the enhanced utilitarian value of a guilty plea during the COVID-19 pandemic were held to be consistent with Worboyes even without express reference to that decision.
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