Man jailed in rape case

A 45-YEAR-OLD man who became known for decorating the outside of his house at Christmas to raise funds for charity, has been jailed for 11 years for repeated rape of a young girl.

Graham Hillebrandt, of Dairy Farm Close, Fakenham, appeared before Norwich Crown Court and admitted five offences of raping a four-year-old girl.

He also admitted four offences of taking indecent photographs and one of possessing indecent pictures.

The offences happened nearly three years ago.

Frank Ferguson, prosecuting, told the court that Hillebrandt's computer was seized by police and videos showing him having oral sex with the young girl were found.

More than 200 indecent photos were found on the computer and more than 20 movie images.

In mitigation, Angela Kerner said Hillebrandt, who worked as a vehicle recovery technician, had a glowing record from his employer.

She said the defendant was ashamed and remorseful of his actions.

Sending him to prison for 11 years, Judge Simon Barham told Hillebrandt that he had recorded the abuse of the child on a camcorder and that children had to be protected.

Hillebrandt was put on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and banned from working with children indefinitely.

He was also given a sex offender's prevention order for 20 years prohibiting him from any contact with any child under 16 without supervision.

He was also banned from using any electronic device to access the internet for 20 years.

Hillebrandt became well-known in Norfolk for his charity work, lighting up the outside of his home with colourful displays at Christmas. Donations from the public were given to charities.

Some of the proceeds from the donations went to the East Anglian Air Ambulance charity.

In December 2004 his festive efforts impressed the judges so much that he won the Looking Cracking for Christmas competition run by the Dereham and Fakenham Times.

The design outside his house that year featured an illuminated helicopter on the roof to link in with the chosen charity.