JOSEPH RILEY OF RHYL AND LIVERPOOL SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND DRUG OFFENSES

In a case that has spanned many years and brought to light disturbing details from the past, Joseph Riley, a man with a troubled history, was found guilty of raping a young girl who was only 12 years old at the time. The incident, which occurred nearly two decades ago, involved Riley, who was then known to have a history of drug addiction and previous sexual offenses. The court proceedings revealed that the victim, now a woman in her twenties, had endured a traumatic experience that left a lasting impact on her life.

According to the evidence presented at Mold Crown Court, Riley, aged 44 and residing on Aquarium Street in Rhyl, denied the charges of two counts of rape that dated back to the late 1990s. Despite his denials, the jury, composed of four men and eight women, unanimously convicted him of the charges after hearing detailed testimonies and evidence. The court was told that on one occasion, the victim became pregnant as a result of the assault and subsequently underwent an abortion. The jury learned that the girl had confided in a friend about what had happened, which eventually led to the police being informed in 2010, many years after the incidents occurred.

The victim, now an adult, provided emotional testimony about how the sexual assaults had affected her life. She expressed relief that she had finally found the courage to come forward and report her experiences, which she had kept secret for many years. Other women also came forward during the trial, sharing their own accounts of Riley’s sexual misconduct when they were younger. It was also revealed that Riley had previously served a 12-month sentence in 1996 for indecent assault on a child.

During the trial, it was disclosed that Riley had been raped on two separate occasions, with one incident involving a train journey to Chester, during which she had an abortion. The court heard claims that the girl had confided in a friend about the assaults, and that Riley had been attacked with a hammer by two men at some point. Additionally, it was reported that years later, the victim confronted Riley, who reportedly broke down crying and apologized for his actions.

Riley maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, asserting that all allegations were fabricated. The court also learned that Riley was currently awaiting sentencing for a separate charge related to allowing his home to be used for the supply of heroin, a Class A drug, which he admitted to. His criminal history includes a previous conviction for indecent assault and drug offenses. Originally from Liverpool, Riley was later sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison—13 years for the rape convictions and an additional 3 years for the drug-related charges—highlighting the severity of his criminal conduct and the justice served in this case.