Rapist jailed for 18 years for attacking a teenage girl from Birmingham

A rapist has been jailed for 18 years for raping a teenage girl from Birmingham and subjecting her to numerous sexual assaults.

Aaron Harvey, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, groomed the girl over a period of two years. At Wolverhampton Crown Court last Friday (April 26) Harvey was jailed for 18 years and handed a sexual harm prevention order as well as a restraining order. 

The 35-year-old had pleaded guilty to one charge of rape, eight sexual assaults and one charge of possessing extreme pornography when he appeared at court earlier this month.

Harvey’s offending came to light when the girl bravely spoke out telling officers the abuse first started when she was 14. Harvey was arrested on August 14 2022 and taken into custody.  Officers seized his iPhone and discovered extreme pornographic videos and website searches for extreme sex. 

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DC Kayleigh Driscoll, from the complex child abuse investigation team at West Midlands Police, said: “Harvey was a predatory individual who groomed his victim, sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions and raped her. 

“We are pleased with the sentence which sends out a clear message that people who target vulnerable young people for their own sexual gratification will be taken to court, convicted and will face many years behind bars.

“I must praise her courage for speaking out and reporting Harvey’s offending. We hope her bravery encourages others subjected to sexual abuse and rape to come forward. We are here to help and listen.”

A spokesperson for WMP added: “It is important to note that survivors of rape are protected by law and have life-long anonymity. For help and guidance about reporting sexual offences go to Rape | Your Options | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)”