Army Lance Corporal Jailed for Rape of Child
Shane Percival, 27, a lance corporal with the Royal Anglian Regiment, has been locked up for over five years after a Norwich Crown Court found him guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a child.
Crime Spanning Tough Years
The horrifying offences took place between December 2011 and August 2013, when Percival was just 16 and the victim aged between nine and ten. Percival, from Lynford Drive, Eaton, Norwich, was stationed at Woolwich Barracks at the time.
Victim’s Emotional Court Statement
“I was 15 when I told my teacher what Shane did to me. My whole world fell apart,” the victim said in court.
“I had kept this hidden since I was a little one. I did this because it would break my family’s hearts and it did.”
She revealed how the trauma led to self-harm and suicide attempts, adding: “Luckily my attempts were unsuccessful. I didn’t want to die, but I’m now stronger than ever.”
Judge Hands Down Sentence
Judge Alice Robinson sentenced Percival to five years and two months behind bars. She confirmed the victim “undoubtedly suffered psychological harm” and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for six years. Percival is now on the sex offenders register indefinitely and banned from any contact with the victim for six years.
Prosecutor Duncan O’Donnell read a statement from the victim’s mother praising her daughter’s strength throughout the ordeal and highlighted the “substantial psychological harm” caused.
