Latest Offenders Huntington

Description

He has been described as one of the most evil ever.

Keith Phillips, 64, raped and sexually abused five children over several decades. (Image: NYP)

A prolific rapist raped committed a staggering 68 offences against five children in a horrific reign of terror that lasted several decades.

Keith Phillips, of Huntington in York, sexually abused and raped five children, leaving them with "irreparable damage". Phillips, 64, was convicted of five counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault , sexual assault of a girl under 13 and sexual activity with a child following an extensive investigation by North Yorkshire Police.

Phillips, who expressed no remorse as he appeared at York Crown Court, was found guilty of 68 offences by a jury. Following the sentence, the judge described him as one of the most evil defendants he had ever encountered.

After a sentencing hearing, where Phillips was jailed for 28 years, the police's Detective Constable Alyson Thompson expressed joy that paedophile Keith Phillips had been brought to justice, saying: The judge described Phillips as one of the most evil offenders hed ever dealt with, and I would echo that. His lack of remorse after decades of unimaginable abuse shows the true extent of his wickedness.

Its difficult to comprehend the magnitude of Phillips offending and the irreparable damage he has done to his victims lives. I have nothing but praise and respect for their immense courage coming forward its helped us build a case that has put an atrocious individual behind bars, potentially for the rest of his life. He will be 82 years old before he is eligible for parole

Det Constable Thompson urged anyone who has suffered recent or non-recent abuse to come forward and seek support. He said: We have support services and specially-trained offices to help people consider their options and work through what has happened to them. We are here to help, regardless of how long ago the offences happened.

Phillips will spend the next 28 years in prison plus an extended licence period.