Two men have been jailed after a baby was raped five times last summer. Ethan Towers, 27, and John Watson, 28, were described by a judge as “dangerous and a risk to the public” before being jailed for life.
Cambridge Crown Court heard how Towers, of St Ives, Cambridgeshire, raped the baby five times while Watson, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, encouraged him to abuse the child. Judge Mark Bishop said the “youth of the baby was extreme”. He jailed Towers for a minimum of 12 years and five months while Watson was given 13 years and four months behind bars on Wednesday (April 1).
The court heard how Towers sent indecent images of children to Watson. Watson, who already had a sexual harm prevention order for previous convictions, also sent and received explicit images with another child aged under 16.
Towers pleaded guilty to five counts of rape while Watson admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The 28-year-old also pleaded guilty to various offences involving indecent images of children and of engaging in sexual communication with a child.
As well as their life sentences, the men were handed restraining orders. They were also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.
The judge read out a victim statement from the baby’s mother in court. She said the ordeal has left her feeling “more isolated and fearful than ever”.
Meanwhile, a victim statement from a child who was contacted by both men on social media was also read out by the judge. They said they felt “set free” following the convictions of Towers and Watson.
The judge added he was “satisfied” that both men were “dangerous and a risk to the public”. Cambridgeshire Police said it had referred the case to authorities responsible for safeguarding.
