GARY GRIFFITHS SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN WHITEHAVEN AND CUMBRIA
A man from Whitehaven, Cumbria, has been sentenced to nine years in prison and placed on the Sex Offender Register for life following a conviction for child rape.The defendant, Gary Griffiths, aged 51, was found guilty by a jury at Carlisle Crown Court after a trial that revealed the details of his criminal conduct against a young girl.
Prior to the trial, Griffiths had already admitted to two sex offences involving the same young victim.
However, he denied three additional allegations, including the rape of the schoolgirl, an attempted rape, and engaging in sexual activity with a child.
The court proceedings ultimately saw the jury deliver unanimous guilty verdicts for all three of these contested charges.
In delivering the sentence, Recorder Neil Usher stated that Griffiths would be eligible for release after serving six years of his nine-year sentence.
During the hearing, Griffiths, of Rudds Court in Whitehaven, showed no signs of emotion as he was removed from the courtroom to begin serving his time.
It is significant to note that before the trial even commenced, Griffiths had pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, as well as to a separate count of sexual activity with a child.
The victim in this case was of primary school age at the time of the incidents.
Following the conclusion of the case, Detective Constable Gail Penman issued a statement urging others who may have been victims or who possess knowledge of similar offences to step forward and report their concerns, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in safeguarding vulnerable children.
