Locations
Cherry Tree Road, Moreton, Wirral CH46
Description
A WIRRAL man has been jailed for five years and one month for sexual activity with a child.
Neil Rycroft, 48, of Cherry Tree Road, Moreton appeared on Tuesday, November 2 at Liverpool Crown Court.
He was also issued with a Lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), Restraining Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Rycroft was arrested on Thursday, May 26, this year, the same day that the victim, a 15-year-old girl, reported the offence, which had taken place three days previously in Wirral.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Alex Fowler from the Force's Unity team, said: "We hope that this sentence goes some way to helping the victim as she comes to terms with this traumatic experience and we will continue to support her.
"We'd like to praise the whole family's immense strength and courage in reporting this crime and engaging throughout what can be a harrowing process, through to today's outcome.
"Rycroft is a predator, who saw a young and vulnerable child as someone to manipulate and abuse.
"Such offenders should be removed from the streets and closely monitored when the time comes to release them.
"He had no regard for the psychological impact of his heinous actions, nor the consequences for the victim, the victim’s family and less importantly, his own liberty.
"We treat all allegations of sexual offences sensitively and with compassion and have specially trained officers who ensure victims are listened to, safeguarded and supported from the moment they report a crime and right through the judicial process.
"If anybody is out there suffering in silence we want you to know that there is help and support available, both from Merseyside Police, and from reliable and trusted support groups who will stand with you from the initial report and for as long as you need.”