Man who abused Loughborough girl for seven years convicted

39-year-old Darren Looby was found guilty of EIGHTEEN counts of sexual abuse on Friday,

His crimes started in 2011, continuing until 2018 when the victim – who is now 21 years old – left the town to attend university.

After contacting police in November 2018, she said that from the age of around 16, the abuse she suffered at the hands of Looby – of Chilwell in Nottingham – became “normal and expected” and that she was scared about what he would do if she told anyone about what had happened.

Detective Constable Emma Burrows, from the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) was the officer in the case. She said: “Looby felt he had a degree of control over his victim and that he would be able to get away with his crimes because she wouldn’t tell anyone.

“But, after moving away to study at university, the victim was finally able to tell police about what happened – and this is what’s led to him being brought to justice. I hope the outcome of the trial can provide some relief to move on with life.”

Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Looby was convicted of:

• Six counts of sexual activity with a child
• Four counts of rape
• Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
• Two counts of rape of a child under 13
• Two counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration

He is due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday 13 August.