July 2021

‘Predatory and manipulative’ paedophile caged for 13-month campaign of rape and abuse

A “predatory and manipulative” paedophile is behind bars for his 13-month campaign of abuse against a very young child

Ricky Andrew Clench denied a string of child sex offences, including raping a child under 13.

The 41-year-old stood trial at Teesside Crown Court as the jury found him guilty of all three of the charges.

Clench’s reign of abuse started in August 2017 when he lived in the Northallerton area and continued until September 2018, when the victim bravely came forward and reported his offences to the police.

Clench denied the offences and maintained his innocence throughout the investigation and court hearings.

The Harrogate man was later found guilty of raping a child under 13, assaulting a child under 13 and of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was remanded into custody and appeared at the Middlesbrough court for sentencing on Wednesday

Judge Paul Watson QC jailed Clench for 15-years for the series of child sexual offences.

He was also issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.