Ex-champion motorbike racer jailed for rape of girl, 7, as judge slams sexual predator for taking ‘no responsibility’
A FORMER motorbike champion has been slammed by a judge for not taking responsibility as he was jailed for the rape of a 7-year-old girl.
Connor Behan, 33, denied all charges against him before he was found guilty of rape, sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity in front of a child.
Behan, of Newcastle-Under-Lyme, sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions starting in May 2019, when she was just seven-years-old, the jury heard.
They endured physical and psychological suffering from the abuse according to prosecutor Mark Connor.
Following the week-long trial, Judge Michael Leeming stated: "You accept no responsibility for your actions and you continue to deny them but I cannot accept it.
"You have no awareness, you have no empathy, and there is an element of victim-blaming throughout your pre-sentence report."
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Behan became an Irish road race super twin champion in 2014 and was active in the circuit from 2004 and 2015.
He was jailed for 18 years and handed a restraining order at Chester Crown Court on Friday following years of abuse
The former Isle of Man TT rider came to the attention of police in 2022, after the victim reported him to her teacher.
Using a seminal detection dog, police found traces of the disgraced rider's semen on a blanket owned by the victim.
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Denying all charges, he was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, and engaging in sexual activity in front of a child following a week-long trial last year.
A victim statement said: "As a result of it I cannot be close to anyone.
"It affects everything and I take it out on my family and on my friends."
Defending, Adam Watkins said Behan had an issue with drinking and drug-taking due to the death of his father.
He added: "It does not explain or excuse his conduct but it is an idea of his difficulties at the time."
Behan will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.
Following the verdict, DS Scott Graves said: "Firstly, I would like to commend the victim who is now just 10 years old, for her bravery and courage shown throughout this investigation and trial. Sadly there are no winners in this case, however I truly hope this result will provide her closure.
"Behan sexually abused his victim for a sustained period of time – he showed no remorse, denying everything throughout the investigation.
"Thankfully, the jury were able to see through his lies, and he will finally be held accountable for what he’s done.
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"I hope this result will allow the victim to eventually move on with her life, now that Behan will be unable to hurt her ever again."
Behan was found unanimously guilty for the string of abhorrent offences at Chester Crown Court last December where he was also found not guilty of an additional count of sexual assault by touching of a child under 13.