A SEX BEAST has been jailed for 15 years for raping and molesting two girls.
Ian Hotham tried to cover his crimes by claiming his victims were “liars”.
But the 42-year-old was found guilty of 17 offences by a Teesside Crown Court jury.
Jurors took four hours to return unanimous guilty verdicts on all charges.
During the six-day trial the court heard how one of his victims tried to kill herself after he forced himself on her.
He was found guilty of seven charges, including four rapes and two assaults, against one girl.
He was also convicted of three indecent assaults, four attempted rapes, one rape, one assault by penetration and one sexual assault in relation to his second victim.
The court heard how Hotham ran a reptile rescue centre from his home in West View Road, Hartlepool.
Judge Peter Fox, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told him: “Your actions were why one girl thought to take her own life. The consequences on each young woman have manifested over time.”
Hotham, who maintained his innocence since first being questioned by police in November last year claimed in court he had been fishing at the time of some of the incidents.
Detective Constable Zoe McCarthy, of Cleveland Police, said afterwards: “People who abuse children may think they have got away with it.
“It will never go away, they will get caught.
“I am here to make sure that happens.”
In a statement released through Cleveland Police, relatives of the victims said: “We are really pleased with the result today at court. He really got what he deserved.
“The victims are relieved that they have finally been believed.”
