Danny Richards 60

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Following a thorough investigation by Hampshire Constabulary a 59 year-old man from Hayling Island has been jailed for 20 years after he admitted ten offences relating to the sexual assault of two children, who were under the age of two at the time of the offences.

Enquiries conducted on electronic devices seized during an ongoing investigation led to the arrest of Danny John Richards of Salterns Lane on Thursday 28 July 2022. He was subsequently charged.

Richards admitted the following offences at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 13 October:

• Rape of a girl under 13 contrary to the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) 2003.
• Two offences of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration contrary to the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) 2003.
• Two offences of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching contrary to the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) 2003
• Three offences of making an indecent photograph of a child.
• Two offences of taking an indecent photograph of a child.

He was sentenced to 20 years at the same court today (Friday 11 November). He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life.

Detective Inspector Heather Noad said: “I hope today’s sentence goes some way in helping the victims and their loved ones begin to move forward with their lives after these appalling offences were committed. In this particular case Richards’ guilty pleas entered for all of the offences avoided the need for a trial.

“Our investigation started when the Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT) received intelligence that indecent images of children had been uploaded to the internet from a specified IP address. A warrant was subsequently undertaken at an address on Salterns Lane on Hayling Island and a number of devices were seized. Ultimately indecent images of children (IIOC) were found on those devices, which directly led to and secured the charges against Richards.

"If you are concerned about offending of this nature please be reassured that we work incredibly hard to provide victims and their families with the support they need. We take all reports of sexual assault very seriously, and will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.

"It is so important to us that people have the confidence to report any activity that could relate to offending like this to us, especially if this has happened to you or somebody you know. It is also important to us that survivors and their families are provided with the support they need, and we work in partnership with other organisations to ensure this happens."

Ashleigh Doy, CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “Richards subjected two innocent children to the most sickening crimes, all for his own sexual gratification.

“We take offending of this nature incredibly seriously and worked closely with police colleagues to build a strong case.

“This resulted in an entirely evidence-led prosecution, meaning Richards pleaded guilty at an early stage in the face of the overwhelming case against him.

“Our joint working and early engagement with police meant the case was prosecuted swiftly, so that justice could be delivered for everyone who has been deeply affected by this case.

“We are committed to bringing people to justice for serious crimes such as this and hope today’s result sends a clear message to other perpetrators.”

Anyone who has been a victim of child abuse, or has any information about this type of abuse, is encouraged to contact police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Child Line on 0800 11 11, or if you are an adult who has been affected, you can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.