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'Beast' Craig Tomlin jailed for 18 years after grooming and then raping two young boys

A sex beast who raped two young boys after plying them with cigarettes and alcohol has been jailed for 18 years.

A judge at Maidstone Crown Court branded Craig Tomlin a "complete monster" whose behaviour was "deeply abhorrent".

Tomlin, 29, of Oxford Road, Maidstone, was convicted by a jury last month of four offences of rape and two of indecent assault dating back to 2000.

The court heard that Tomlin, who was described in a probation officer's report as posing a high risk of serious harm to prepubescent boys, still maintains his innocence.

His victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were said to have been groomed by Tomlin.

Judge Martin Joy said the use of alcohol and cigarettes was a form of "sly bribery" and, therefore, an aggravating feature of the case.

He added that Tomlin's behaviour had had a devastating impact on the boys, both of whom had to give evidence during Tomlin's trial.

Judge Joy told Tomlin: "There was overwhelmingly clear and strong evidence...There has to be a substantial period of imprisonment and that is the only way offences such as these can be dealt with."

Tomlin was jailed for 18 years concurrent on each offence of rape, and EIGHT years concurrent on each offence of indecent assault.

He will serve half the prison term before being released on licence. Tomlin showed no emotion other than to wink at two women sitting in the public gallery.

Judge Martin Joy
Judge Martin Joy

Both his victims wrote impact statements for the court.

In summarising them, prosecutor Piers Knowle Reed said: "It is quite clear that both have suffered quite serious problems directly as a result of what happened to them."

Judge Joy himself described the statements as "very moving" accounts.

Of one victim he said to Tomlin as he passed sentence: "He sets out his disgust at the way he was treated, how he was messed up, how he had behavioural problems almost certainly as a result of how he was treated by you and it has led to feelings of aggression and anger.

"It is quite clear that both (victims) have suffered quite serious problems directly as a result of what happened to them" - Piers Knowle Reed, prosecuting

"He has found himself effectively in what he describes rather movingly as a lonely place.

"His aim is to be a good father, have good friends and one day to be described as happy, hard-working and a great father.

"I am sure, having seen him, that that may well be the case."

Tomlin's second victim also wrote of how he had been left feeling scared, intimidated and isolated.

Judge Joy continued: "He sets out what is all too familiar to the courts. That the impact can cause fear, humiliation, degradation, shame, embarrassment, difficulties in trusting people and difficulties in forming relationships.

"You must have been regarded by them as a complete monster. The behaviour you engaged in with them was deeply abhorrent."

Tomlin, who has no previous convictions of a sexual nature, was also made subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order.

Danny Moore, defending, said there was little he could say about the father-of-one and accepted the offences were at the "top end" of sentencing guidelines.


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