JANE RICHES FROM DREWSTEIGNTON BANNED AFTER SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEEN BOYS

In a case that has shocked the community of Drewsteignton, a former foster mother has been legally restricted from having any unsupervised contact with children following her admission to engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships with two teenage boys. The incident, which took place over several years, has raised serious concerns about safeguarding and the responsibilities of those entrusted with caring for vulnerable young people.

Jane Riches, aged 57, who previously served as a foster carer at her residence in Drewsteignton near Exeter, was found guilty of multiple offences related to her inappropriate conduct. The court heard that she had developed physical relationships with two boys, both of whom had recently turned 16, believing herself to be in love with them despite the significant age difference. One of the boys was less than a third of her age, a fact that added to the gravity of her misconduct. Exeter Crown Court was told that Riches had regular sexual encounters with these teenagers, which she justified by claiming she was in love with them.

Riches, who resides at Tenantspiece Cottages in Drewsteignton, admitted to four counts of causing a young person to engage in sexual activity and one count of indecent assault on a 15-year-old boy. Her actions have led to her being sentenced to a 12-month jail term, which has been suspended for two years. Additionally, she has been ordered to undergo supervision under the supervision of Judge John Neligan. As part of her sentence, she is prohibited from sharing a residence with anyone under the age of 18, a condition imposed through a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Furthermore, she is required to sign the sex offenders register for a period of ten years.

Prosecutor Miss Mary McCarthy provided details of the offences, revealing that the first incident involved a 15-year-old boy whom Riches had known both in Berkshire and later in Devon, where she moved in the 1990s. Although she admitted to kissing the boy when he was 15 and engaging in sexual activity with him after he turned 16, these acts were not considered criminal at the time due to the legal age of consent. However, her subsequent conduct involved a more troubling pattern, as she engaged in sexual activities with another boy more than 200 times between the ages of 16 and 18. These encounters took place while she was in her 50s and living in Drewsteignton.

Riches maintained that she believed both relationships were consensual and that the boys were in love with her. Her defense, led by Fiona Elder, highlighted that the stress of the case had caused her client both physical and mental health issues, which delayed her trial and increased the emotional toll. Elder also noted that Riches had become involved in these relationships during a period of personal isolation and loneliness but emphasized that she is now reunited with her husband and living with him, suggesting a change in her circumstances since the incidents occurred.