Description
A man who raped and sexually abused children has been jailed for 15 years. Cameron Richards, of no fixed abode, but from Plymouth, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to eight sexual offences which involved three children.
The offences included two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, one count of oral rape and four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. None of the children can be identified for legal reasons.
Prosecutor Rachel Drake told the court 35-year-old Richards had pleaded guilty to offences which included him abusing the children in a number of different locations including at his place of work and on expeditions. All of his victims were under the age of ten when the offences began.
Some of the victims, along with their family and supporters, sat in the public gallery, evidently deeply distressed as Ms Drake read out the different charges in details.
Ms Drake also read out Victim Impact Statements from the mother of one of the victims as well as one of Richards' victims. The mother said the assaults on her child had caused huge damage and that their child had repeatedly stated they wanted to kill themselves. One of the victims said that they were left feeling like it was somehow their fault and that they feared that "no-one would believe me". They added that because of the abuse they had "lost out on my childhood" and was "worried about how I will develop relationships in the future".
Richards' advocate Michael Green admitted his mitigation was "limited", stating that nothing his client could say through him would provide any comfort to the victims, adding that his client pleaded guilty to "horrendous offences". He said Richards knew he would be jailed for a long time and had "recognised that he deserves such a sentence".
Sentencing Richards, Mr Recorder Richard Stead noted that he had no previous convictions, but that he began his offending as far back as 2007 and continued for many years. He said Richards had numerous opportunities to stop the abuse, but instead continued regardless of the "psychological and physical damage you caused" to the children which he said would be "deep and long lasting."
At this point in proceedings there was an outburst from several people in the public gallery, with angry and upset shouts of "I hope you f****** kill yourself", "I hope you f****** die you dirty f****** b***ard". A number had stepped forwards towards Richards who was swiftly removed from the dock and taken back down to the cells as court staff called for calm. A number of people were made to leave the courtroom and proceedings only restarted after assurances were drawn that there would be no further outbursts from the public gallery.
Mr Recorder Stead continued his sentencing, saying Richards had "no regard" for the children he abused, despite him knowing he was doing wrong, but carried on for his "own sexual gratification". He said the offences clearly showed Richards had planned the abuse, in terms of the timing and locations and that there was "evidence of grooming behaviour". He added: "All have lost their childhoods and will carry with them the psychological impact of what you did to them."
Mr Recorder Stead said he would consider the totality of his offending in sentencing and jailed the 35-year-old for 15 years. He said this had been reduced due to his early guilty plea which under the sentencing guidelines meant he was obliged to any sentence he gave by 25 percent. He said it would be "at least" ten years before Richards' release from prison could be referred to parole board and that he would remain on a conditional licence and supervision on release.
Mr Recorder Stead said would make Richards subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further notice and that he would remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, which included a necessity to alert police to where he was living as well as if he moved.
Det Con Natasha Elliott-Smith from the Plymouth Public Protection Unit, said: "I am pleased to hear that Cameron Richards has today been given a 15-year custodial sentence. Mr Richards groomed his vulnerable victims and created opportunities to sexually abuse them; these offences started when the victims were all under the age of 10.
"This case was instigated by one of the complainants being brave enough to talk to a friend which led to a safeguarding referral being made by her school. A police investigation was launched where two further victims were identified. Through the support of specialist trained officers from the Public Protection Unit, the complainants were all able to provide compelling victim testimonies and this no doubt influenced the defendant's guilty plea.
"This investigation highlights the importance of listening to the worries of children and acting on concerns raised by young people. I would like to thank the victims for their incredible bravery in coming forward and the victims families who have provided ongoing support to them throughout the investigation; I hope this sentencing can begin to offer some closure for you all.
"This case once again shows the Polices commitment to supporting victims of sexual abuse, to thoroughly investigate offending of this deplorable nature, to protect the vulnerable in our society and bring offenders to justice."