March 13, 2020 3.57 pm This story is over 53 months old

Grimsby child rapist jailed for more than two decades

He even threatened to drown her puppy if she didn’t do what he asked
Kenneth Leslie Mantle.

A Grimsby man who raped a child for years has been sent to jail for more than two decades.

Kenneth Leslie Mantle, 62, of Willingham Street, Grimsby was sentenced to 24 years on Thursday, March 12 following a four-day trial.

Mantle was convicted of five counts of rape of a girl under 16, one count of assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of gross indecency with a girl under 16.

All of the offences happened in North East Lincolnshire.

The court heard how Mantle had carried out the string of offences between 1980 and 1992, using various threats against her.

He even threatened to drown her puppy if she didn’t do what he asked or told anyone about the offences.

Detective Constable Nick Pearce said: “Mantle is an absolutely loathsome and vile man who showed no care and little regard for the young girl, using violent and heartless threats to terrify her into not telling anyone about the horror that he was putting her through.

“His actions were absolutely incomprehensible. He inflicted untold suffering for his own perverse gratification, continuing even now by making the woman endure the harrowing ordeal of a trial.

“However, the bravery the woman in this case has shown has been highly commendable and I want to offer my thanks for her patience and understanding throughout both the investigation process and court proceedings, as they have been long and complex processes.

“Mantle will be behind bars for a long time and unable to commit any further offences, which is largely down to the woman’s courage in coming forward.

“I would encourage anyone if you have been a victim of a sexual offence to please get in touch. We will listen and support you throughout the investigative process and do all that we can to hold those responsible to account and to bring them before the courts.”