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13 years' jail for teen sex abuser who showed "no remorse"

13 years' jail for teen sex abuser who showed

Friday 06 January 2023

13 years' jail for teen sex abuser who showed "no remorse"

Friday 06 January 2023


A 56-year-old man who "demonstrated no remorse" for sexually abusing two girls has been sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment.

Ricky Derek Knight was imprisoned for nine indecent assaults and five acts of gross indecency.

Crown Advocate Simon Thomas, prosecuting, told the Superior Number of the Royal Court - which only sits for the most serious cases - that the offences took place while both girls were under 16. He called for Knight to be sent to prison for 13 years. 

The advocate said that the older of the two girls was pressured into performing sex acts on Knight, and he would perform sex acts on her, buying her cigarettes or phone credits in return.

"It became a regular occurrence for her," the Crown Advocate said.

Knight also touched the younger girl, putting his hand inside her shirt and groped her breasts on numerous occasions. On another occasion he pinned her down and placed his hand between her legs, above her clothing.

Knight denied the offences but was found guilty on all 14 counts after a six-day trial in October.

Crown Advocate Thomas said the older girl had suffered "extreme psychological harm" as a result of her ordeal and had not been believed when she first spoke of what was happening.

She said she had found it difficult to trust people and it had undermined her relationships with men.

The younger girl said she had found it difficult to sleep because of the abuse.

Advocate Christina Hall, defending, said letters of support showed Knight was "well thought of by his friends and family" and argued that a 13-year sentence was too high. She suggested a sentence of 10 years.

Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae - who was sitting with Jurats Andrew Cornish, Karen Le Cornu Jerry Ramsden, Robert Christensen and Jane Ronge - told Knight: "You demonstrated no remorse and showed disdain for your victims."

The accused was sentenced to nine years in prison for the assault on the older girl and four years for those on the younger girl, to run consecutively.

Knight was also banned from having any contact with either victim for an indeterminate period.

Following the sentencing, Police praised the two victims for their "immense courage". 

Detective Constable Jo Le Maistre said: “No matter how much time has passed offences like these can always be reported to police and we will always strive to bring offenders before the courts.

"We hope this sentence can offer the victims some closure in this case.”

SUPPORT...

SARC at Dewberry House provides expert independent and confidential support to victims of sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 888222. 

Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors and their families. Confidential helpline: 01534 482800.

Jersey Women’s Refuge offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Tel: 0800 7356836.

Victim Support offer free and confidential advice to victims of crime. Tel: 01534 440496. 

Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Tel: 0800 7351612. 

READ MORE...

55-year-old denies sexually assaulting young girls

Man accused of giving teen cigarettes in return for sex acts

"I thought I was going to get raped or something"

"I beat myself up daily that I did nothing at the time"

Defence witness claims "two-way street" between accused and alleged victims

Man with "unnatural" interest in young girls found guilty of abuse

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