Child rapist from North Yorkshire carried out several ‘cruel' attacks on his young victim

Ricky Clench abused the young girl over a 13-month period when she was aged under 13.

The 41-year-old was found guilty of three offences of rape, five of sexual penetration and two of inciting her to engage in a sex act, following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Jurors heard how Clench carried out the vile attacks on at least three occasions during his victim’s ‘formative years’ and on occasion plied the victim with alcohol.

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Clench, formerly of Northallerton but now of Kennion Road, Harrogate, was found guilty of the offences which took place several years ago.

Ricky Clench

Judge Paul Watson QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, sentenced the defendant to 15-years in prison with an extended one-year licence period after his release.

“You have no previous convictions but you have been convicted of three sets of offences of the most grave character,” he said. “Firstly, the rape of a child under the age of 13 on no less than three occasions; the assault of that child by penetration on no less than five occasions; and inciting her to engage in sexual activity with him on at least two occasions.”

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been left traumatised by the abuse she suffered at the hands of Clench.

The judge told the defendant that he had engaged in a ‘pattern of abuse’ to target the young girl.

“You would on occasion use alcohol in order to try and get her to comply.

“You told her more than once not to tell anybody else, and I am quite satisfied, that bought her presents to ensure her silence,” he added.

“This was cruel and appalling abuse of a very young child, just about to embark on her most formative years. In the victim personal statement, it is clear that what you did to her has had a lasting impact on that young child."

"The judge said the use of alcohol, the efforts made to deter her from speaking about the abuse and the repeated nature of the abuse made the convictions more serious, resulting in a longer prison sentence that the statutory minimum.

Clench was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

He was told that he will remain on licence for the full 16 years of his sentence.

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