Child rapist sentenced to 13 years in prison

Friday 08 December 2017

A 51 year-old man will spend the next 13 years behind bars for a series of sexual offences involving children as young as nine.

Jersey born Martin James Jegou - formally known as Martin James Ridgeway Richardson - was found guilty of 11 counts sexual assault including rape in July.

In today's sentencing the Royal Court heard how the victims were, "...too young to understand what was going on."

When cross-examined during the trial about why one victim didn’t tell anyone about the abuse she replied, "I wish I did tell, because the way you’re putting it makes it sounds like it was my fault, and I let it carry on." During the attacks, she described how she would just lay there, as she didn’t appreciate what was happening but recalled that, "she felt sick. The abuse had gone on for so long that she just accepted it and moved on."

The actions of Mr Jegou during the years of abuse saw his victim's behaviour deteriorate with one of them using self harm "as a punishment."

During the trial, the 51-year-old has claimed the allegations were made up as the victim wanted compensation. He denied any sexual interest in children.

During sentencing today Crown Advocate Conrad Yates said that both victims were, "...accused of fabricating their stories, they were made to re-live it by giving evidence. Remorse is simply not a factor."

"The defendant groomed her over a long period of time, first raping her at 13. As she grew older, she knew it was wrong but was groomed to accept it."

Referring to the level of harm, the Crown said the victim, "...was clearly a vulnerable child given her age. She suffered from severe psychological harm. There was a breach of trust and a significant level of planning involved. The Crown notes there was a high level of grooming and isolation." 

Mr Jegou has been put on the sex offenders' register. Today, Advocate Yates asked for a number of restraints including no contact with the victims, and not to be alone with anyone under the age of 16. He also explained why a sentence of 15 years was appropriate given the serious nature of the attacks. 

But Defence Advocate Michael Haines argued that the restraining orders should not exceed 10 years as, "...both complainants are now adults. Over the last 14 years, the defendant hasn’t taken any act to cause either girl any stress."

Advocate Haines also called for a lesser sentence as he said, "...there was no evidence given at trial that this was a planned event. It is my submission that the victim was visiting at her own choice, and she did make up her mind to come or go. The event (rape) was spontaneous."

The Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq, sitting with Jurats Nicolle, Olsen, Ramsden, Sparrow and Pitman handed down a sentence of 13 years in prison.

Jersey Police reacted to the sentence saying: "The victims have shown incredible courage in reporting the abuse they suffered to the police and since the initial disclosures have shown strength and commitment in supporting the investigation to its conclusion. The huge emotional impact on the victims is impossible to quantify but without doubt long - lasting. We hope that the sentence handed down today will help them to rebuild their lives."