A 32-year-old mother has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for her role in a horrifying plot to allow her sexual predator partner to rape her six-year-old daughter. The woman drugged her daughter to make her sleepy, enabling her 43-year-old partner to sexually abuse the child. The sickening plan was only thwarted when the man claimed the girl “stirred” as he entered her bedroom.

The shocking crime came to light when a female friend discovered disturbing messages on the man’s phone after he left it unattended in a pub. The friend immediately alerted the police, leading to the arrest of the man and the mother, both from Cornwall. The man attempted to flee but was eventually captured and brought to justice.

Plymouth Crown Court heard that the messages exchanged between July and December 2021, detailed the couple’s plans to rape and sexually abuse the young girl. The mother even sent intimate photos of her daughter to the man as a “Christmas present,” just days before the planned rape.

Forensic tests revealed that the child had been sedated with Tramadol and other prescribed drugs, but a medical examination confirmed that the rape did not occur. Despite this, the mother and her partner were both convicted of conspiracy to rape a child under 13 and conspiracy to assault a child under 13 by penetration. The mother was also found guilty of administering a noxious substance to her daughter.

During the sentencing, both defendants wept, but the judge was unsparing in his condemnation. Judge Robert Linford described their actions as “utterly beyond the comprehension of right-thinking people” and an “utter betrayal” of the child’s trust. He noted that the mother had shown no remorse for her actions.

You effectively handed her over to a sexual predator,” Judge Linford told the mother. “Part of this terrible offence involved a six-year-old girl—your own natural daughter. She was drugged and prepared for abuse.”

The man, who admitted that he had gone to the house with the intention of abusing the girl, was sentenced to 13 years in prison. During his sentencing, he expressed remorse, saying, “I’m sorry, I just messed everything up for a lot of people.”

The court was informed that the child is now safe and will never have contact with her mother again.

This case has shocked the community and serves as a grim reminder of the evil that can exist within families. The authorities have assured the public that the child will be protected from any further harm.