Lewis Miller, 25, of Hankinson Street in Old Swan, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday (June 22) for raping a woman after breaking into her home. The victim, who cannot be named, described in court how the attack 'changed my life forever' and left her feeling that her 'life had no value anymore'.
Attack details
Prosecutor Robert Dudley told the court that Miller let himself into the victim's home 'uninvited' before raping and sexually assaulting her. The woman's clothes were cut off during the attack. Dudley said she suffered 'significant psychological harm' as a result of the traumatic incident.
The victim fought back tears as she gave her impact statement from the witness box: 'The day I was raped altered my life forever. I felt disgusting. I felt like a disgrace to my father. I felt like I didn't have value being alive anymore. It's ruined the very essence of who I am. The shame I felt is unbearable. My poor father has to watch his little girl fall apart and can't control it. I'm left paranoid, having nightmares, feeling anxious and destroyed.'
Father's statement
The victim's father also addressed the court, saying: '[The day of the assault] started as any other Saturday morning. At 11.30am, I got a phone call that changed me forever. [My daughter] told me she'd been sexually assaulted and raped. As a loving father, I can only think of one thing worse. She always looked to see the best in anyone. She no longer sees the best in people. Sitting through the court case, we heard things that no parent should ever have to hear. He violated her.'
Defence and sentencing
Miller has one previous conviction for unrelated offences. Defence barrister Martine Snowdon said: 'This is his first custodial sentence. He is, effectively, hitherto a man of good character. He was only 22 at the time of the commission of this offence. Some time now has passed. Your honour will see a significant history of issues with his own mental health, going back quite some time, and the emotional vulnerability that he has with a significant history of self harm. His trepidation and fear for the future, his knowledge that it is a long prison sentence he is looking at, make it difficult to come to terms with.'
Miller was found guilty of rape and assault by penetration following a trial. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for seven years. Sentencing, Judge Dennis Watson KC said: 'You took advantage of her sexually for your own pleasure. You let yourself into her own home, where she should have been able to feel secure. You were only 22 at the time, and you are effectively someone with no relevant previous convictions. Your age and lack of maturity is accepted as a mitigating feature.'
Additional orders
Miller was also handed a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for life and must sign the sex offenders' register for life.
