February 2023

Exeter child rapist sentenced 

A 26-year-old Exeter man has been jailed for raping a 12-year-old boy.

Christopher Houghton committed multiple sex assaults on the child and tried to buy his silence by offering gifts.

He also took indecent photos of his victim and shared them with another paedophile.

The boy told his parents about what had happened and Houghton was arrested.

The defendant, of Brunswick Street, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault against a child under 13, four charges of raping a child, and one each of making and distributing indecent images.

He was jailed for eight years.

Judge Anna Richardson said references said he was a ‘kind and thoughtful’ man and he has been behaving well in custody since his arrest and addressing his behaviour by attending courses.

The defendant must serve two thirds of his sentence in prison before he can be considered for release.