A MAN who preyed on a woman with learning difficulties, sexually abusing her and forcing her to perform multiple sex acts, has been jailed for 18 years.

Presiding Judge Peter Ross described the depraved abuse that Nigel Wheeler, of Eastmere, Swindon, subjected his victim to as ‘devious’ exploitation.

Denying a string of charges at Oxford Crown Court the 62-year old had presented himself as a ‘sexual Good Samaritan’ the court heard.

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But the jury threw out his version of events and he was convicted by unanimous verdict of seven counts involving sexual abuse and assault of his sole victim last week and he was sentenced yesterday.

At the sentencing hearing the court heard that Wheeler had first met his victim – who cannot be named for legal reasons – through training provider Learn Direct, before moving into her home near Faringdon.

It was there that he embarked on a campaign of ‘controlling behaviour’ before forcing her to carry out numerous sex acts on him.

Among the instances detailed to the court Wheeler urinated on his victim multiple times and forced her to engage in anal sex and oral sex.

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On one occasion Wheeler tried to ‘market’ his victim to others involved in a ‘swingers group’, the court heard, and she was made to watch pornography.

He also beat her on the buttocks with a ruler.

Judge Ross said of the ordeal: “You exploited her vulnerabilities at a number of levels. You exploited what I think probably was an element of her being intrigued by some of the sexual language and behaviour that you used.

“You engaged in a course of conduct that normalised what was unusual sexual activity.

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“In the circumstances with her learning difficulties and autism she was unable to distinguish between what was unusual and what had become normal in that household.

“In the course of your evidence I take the view that you were seeking to present yourself as some sort of sexual Good Samaritan but in my view you are simply a devious exploiter of others.”

The court also heard a personal statement from the woman in which she said her ordeal had left her distrustful of other men and feeling sick and ‘filthy’ after what she was subjected to.

In mitigation, his defence barrister Alistair Grainger said that the offences, which all occurred in early July of last year, had been ‘short lived’.

Mr Grainger added: “His time in custody has not been wasted for a number of reasons; he has engaged with the prison.”

Wheeler was jailed for a total of 18 years and will serve an extended period of licence on release of seven years.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for life and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for an indefinite period.