Man accused of giving teen cigarettes in return for sex acts

Friday 21 October 2022

A 56-year-old man is standing trial in the Royal Court, accused of making a teenage girl perform sex acts in return for cigarettes or phone credit, and inappropriately touching a younger girl under the pretext of ‘play fighting’.

Ricky Derek Knight denies 14 charges of indecent assault, or committing acts of gross indecency, against two girls under 16.

Laying out the allegations in the Royal Court on Thursday, Crown Advocate Simon Thomas, prosecuting, said Mr Knight had first encountered the girls several years ago.

"He took an unnatural interest in the girls’ appearance," Advocate Thomas said.

The acts are all said to have continued over an extended period.

Appearing via video link, the older of the two girls told the jury that Mr Knight had bought her cigarettes or credits for her mobile phone in return for the sex acts she was made to perform on him. He later performed sex acts against her, the court heard.

Mr Knight is accused of eight acts of sexual activity with the older girl and six with the other alleged victim. He is accused of touching the younger girl’s breasts - sometimes during 'play fights' - and once of touching her between her legs, above her clothing.

Mr Knight was arrested and interviewed in December 2021.

At the time, he said he had no sexual interest in children, the court heard. However, he admitted occasionally touching the younger girl’s breasts by accident, and claimed he had always apologised afterwards.

The trial continues today.