Staff photo / Chris McBride David Varner, left, appears for a Tuesday morning sentencing hearing alongside attorney Kevin Daley in the courtroom of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean O’Brien.

WARREN — A Champion man convicted of raping an 8-year-old relative on Christmas Eve last year was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years to life in prison.

David L. Varner, 46, was sentenced by Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean O’Brien, and it deviated from the 15 years to life plea agreement offered by the prosecuting attorney.

Varner will have no chance at parole until he has served 20 years.

Varner pleaded guilty in May to two counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition.

O’Brien deemed Varner a Tier 3 sex offender which stipulates the defendant will have to register every 90 days with the local sheriff’s office for the rest of his life.

Citing the gruesome specifics of the crime, the judge shifted from the original plea agreement from county Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman.

“I can’t think of anything worse that I’ve seen on this bench with what I’ve seen in that presentence report,” O’Brien said.

The judge said the case involved inappropriate touching, forcible rape and manipulation tactics used by Varner against the child.

Champion police said a family member reported the incident to them on Christmas Day. Police also said the child and family members conducted several interviews with officers along with Trumbull County Children Services regarding the matter.