A teenager who raped a young girl but was given a suspended prison sentence has been jailed at the second time of asking.
In January, Luke Grender, 18, of Broad Mead Park, Newport , admitted raping a girl under the age of 13 numerous times.
On one occasion he dragged her by her hair and began pinching and hitting her until she gave in to him.
He was originally given a two-year suspended sentence at Newport Crown Court on the grounds that the case was “quite exceptional by any standards”.
In 2011, Grender’s sister Nikitta - who was heavily pregnant and just two weeks away from giving birth - was raped and murdered by Carl Whant who was given a 35-year life sentence for her murder.
James Tucker, defending 18-year-old Grender, told the court how the death of his sister had led to “contortions twisting the thinking of Luke".
'Psychological Mess'
There was expert evidence that Grender had been rendered a 'psychological mess' and was suffering from unresolved post traumatic stress disorder.
He had no skills for dealing with emotions when put under pressure and did not understand what was happening to him.
Handing Grender a two-year suspended sentence at the time, Judge Richards said: “You and your family have undergone more heartbreak than nearly any other family in the context of the work we undergo.
“I am very aware that you fear a custodial sentence, and I recognise that you would have difficulty sustaining such a sentence.
“There could be enormous consequences should an immediate sentence be imposed.
“And I believe that the reality is that a sentence in the community will offer you more help and protect the public more quickly, than a short prison sentence that you would struggle to cope with.”
But solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient and today three senior judges in London said the suspended term was too soft.
Original case: Brother of pregnant teenager brutally raped and murdered admits the rape of a young girl
His sentence was increased to three years’ immediate imprisonment in youth custody.
'Should be properly punished'
Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP said: “These offences will leave a lasting impact on his young victim and should be properly punished.
“I did not think the original sentence reflected the seriousness of offending and am pleased the Court of Appeal has increased the sentence.”
He will be listed on the sexual offenders register for 10 years.
Giving judgment, Lady Justice Sharp, sitting with Mr Justice Supperstone and Judge Paul Farrer QC, ordered that Grender report to police to begin his sentence tomorrow at noon.
"The significant feature of this case was the use of violence," she said.
"He behaved the way he did though he knew how old she was from the outset. There was also substantial mitigation: the tragic circumstances of the murder of his sister, the effect this had on his mental health and his overall vulnerability.
Wing for vulnerable prisoners
"These features justified a very substantial reduction from the starting point to one of four-and-a-half years, which after credit for his plea would have led to a sentence of three years' detention."
The court heard Grender will have to be placed on a wing for vulnerable prisoners, where he can access extra support and be monitored more closely.
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/teenager-who-raped-schoolgirl-avoided-11042761
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