NATHAN RICHARDS FROM HEDON SENTENCED FOR ABUSING TEENAGE GIRL IN HULL

A mother from the Hull area has publicly expressed her relief and relief after her teenage daughter was finally freed from the clutches of a man who had subjected her to prolonged grooming and sexual abuse. The perpetrator, Nathan Richards, aged 30 and residing in Hedon, was sentenced to a total of three years in prison following his guilty plea to two counts of sexual activity with a minor under the age of 16.

Richards was brought before Hull Crown Court on Monday, December 9, where he received his sentence. The court ordered that he serve half of his term in custody, with the remaining half to be served on licence. Additionally, Richards has been mandated to register as a sex offender indefinitely and is subject to a five-year restraining order preventing any contact with his young victim.

The victim’s mother, who has chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, recounted the devastating impact of the revelations that surfaced on February 6, 2018. She described that day as a moment she would never forget, when Richards’ angry girlfriend knocked on their door, revealing the disturbing messages she had discovered on Richards’ phone. These messages exposed the extent of Richards’ manipulative behaviour and the grooming of her daughter.

The girl, now in her late teens, was described by her mother as being “naive for her age,” and the mother emphasized that the emotional scars of the abuse are evident to everyone who knows her. The family’s life was turned upside down by the shocking discovery, and the mother expressed how difficult the past 21 months have been for them.

After enduring nearly two years of turmoil, the mother finally found some solace in witnessing Richards being sentenced to prison. She shared her feelings of shock and fear that justice might not be served, especially after a pre-sentence report indicated Richards showed no remorse, despite having written a letter to the judge. She expressed her relief that justice was ultimately achieved, stating, “It’s a relief to see the system work. I was worried it would fail my daughter.”

The mother detailed how Richards exploited her daughter over a period of five months, beginning with messages sent via Snapchat in which he expressed love and affection. Richards, who was 28 at the time, engaged in grooming behaviour by telling her she was beautiful and that he had feelings for her, claiming he was her boyfriend. This manipulation took a darker turn when Richards kissed her daughter and then engaged in sexual intercourse with her twice, when she was just 15 years old.

She recounted that her daughter initially responded with discomfort, saying, “That’s wrong,” but Richards continued to message her and manipulate her further. Richards admitted in court that their relationship was akin to an affair, but justified his actions by claiming her age was the only issue. He also instructed her not to tell anyone about what was happening.

The family only discovered the full extent of Richards’ abuse after his girlfriend found messages on his phone directed to the young girl and brought this evidence to their attention. The mother described that day as one she would never forget, saying, “I was so shocked and numb — I still am.”

Now, with Richards behind bars, the family hopes to begin the process of healing from the trauma inflicted by his actions. The court’s decision marks a significant step in delivering justice for the young victim and her family, who endured a harrowing ordeal that has left lasting scars.