GARY ROLPH'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN BROADSTAIRS LEAD TO LENGTHY SENTENCE

In May 2015, a disturbing case involving Gary Rolph, a resident of Prince Charles Road in Broadstairs, came to light, revealing a pattern of heinous sexual offenses against a young girl. The case took a sinister turn when it was uncovered that Rolph’s legal representatives had sent a threatening letter to his victim, attempting to silence her and prevent her from reporting the abuse.

The victim, a young girl who endured a two-year ordeal of repeated assaults, was subjected to a terrifying campaign of intimidation. Prosecutor Simon Taylor detailed how the girl’s mother had initially met Rolph, which eventually led to the girl being invited to his home. During this visit, Rolph offered her alcohol until she became dizzy, and then he led her into a bedroom where the abuse continued. According to Mr. Taylor, Rolph followed her into the room, grabbed her legs, and when she tried to resist by kicking, he responded coldly, saying, “The more you do that, the more I will enjoy it.”

After raping her, Rolph allowed her to leave but issued a chilling threat, warning that he would harm her mother if she ever disclosed what had happened. The girl later told police that the attacks became “continuous and aggressive,” leading her to shut down emotionally as a means of coping. It was only five years later that she found the courage to speak out, but her initial complaint was withdrawn after she received a threatening letter from Rolph’s solicitors. The letter stated, “If you repeat the false accusations then we will be advising our client with regard to remedies available to him at law. This is an extremely serious accusation to make and is, of course, totally refuted by Mr. Rolph.”

Despite the legal warning, the allegations proved to be true. Rolph eventually pleaded guilty to the savage rapes, but not before committing additional sexual offenses. In a Victim Impact Statement read to Canterbury Crown Court, the young woman described her profound psychological scars, stating, “I had very little confidence in myself. I constantly put myself down. Feeling worthless was all I could feel. I blamed myself, all the time thinking I could have stopped it but not sure how. I drank a lot to block out the memories and knowing that no one believed me at the time was hell. There were times when I would wish he had just killed me then I would not have to live with the awful nightmares he left me with.”

Judge Heather Norton, presiding over the case, sentenced Rolph to an additional 24 years in prison, with a 3-year extended license period, ensuring he will not be eligible for parole before 2029. If released, he will remain on license until the age of 74. The judge emphasized the gravity of Rolph’s actions, stating, “You targeted and groomed your victim. I have absolutely no doubt that what she felt during her ordeal was sheer terror. Then you threatened that if she reported it, you would hurt her mother, what effect that had on a young child hardly bears thinking about. This is offending of the gravest kind and the consequences of your action caused her severe psychological harm and I doubt they will ever go.”

Earlier, in October 2014, Rolph was sentenced to 17 years after admitting to ten sex offenses involving four children. During that hearing, Judge Heather Norton explained that the sentences would run concurrently, except for two that would be consecutive, resulting in a total of 17 years. The court was told that Rolph’s life had been significantly impacted by his crimes, leading to the loss of his job, marriage, and home, and leaving him to face a future as a “broken and lonely old man.”

Prosecutor John O’Higgins outlined how Rolph had used threats, bribery, and grooming to satisfy his perverted desires. On one occasion, he offered a schoolgirl money—initially £50, then £100, and finally £150—for sex, but she refused. Rolph also threatened to “stop her breathing” if she did not comply with his demands. Victims were often intoxicated with alcohol, including vodka and WKD alcopops, before being abused. One girl was even locked in his van, threatened with rape if she did not agree to his demands.

Rolph admitted to ten sex charges, including attempted rape, but five other charges were left on file as he denied them. The judge criticized his lack of remorse, noting that he only pleaded guilty the day before a trial, which would have forced the victims to relive their trauma. She also pointed out that Rolph attempted to blame one girl for forcing him to commit the acts and accused others of lying, which the court found to be a clear distortion of the truth. The case highlighted the severity of his crimes and the profound impact on his victims, leaving a lasting scar on their lives.