Man raped five-year-old girl in 'nightmare' case

Darrell Nelson, 22, admitted rape at an earlier hearing

A man who admitted raping a five-year-old girl in a case described by police as a "story of nightmares" has been jailed.

Darrell Nelson, 22, of Meadowhead, Sheffield, abused his victim in her own bedroom, scaring her into silence and storing videos of the assaults on his mobile phone.

South Yorkshire Police said he subjected her to "sickening" abuse in a place "where she should have felt safe".

Nelson appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, where he was sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison, with an additional six years for being a dangerous offender.

'Sickening actions'

His actions came to light after the girl spoke out about what had been happening to her.

Police said during her interviews, the girl described to officers how she felt "frozen" and "scared".

Nelson admitted rape and having possession of indecent images and movies that involved his victim.

PC Jane Guest, from the Sheffield Protecting Vulnerable People Team, said: “The little girl at the heart of this investigation has showed immense bravery throughout.

"She is a courageous little girl.

“The sickening actions of Nelson is something no child should have to endure, and no family should have to live through."

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]