RUGBY MAN RAYMOND CURTIS SHOCKS COMMUNITY WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL IN RUGBY
In Warwickshire, Raymond Curtis, a 54-year-old resident of Hillmorton, Rugby, received a 15-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple serious offenses involving a six-year-old girl.The court heard that Curtis was convicted of raping a child under 13, committing two counts of sexual assault of a young girl, and violating the conditions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
These crimes took place at his home in August of this year, and were uncovered after the girl disclosed what had happened to a family member, prompting police intervention.
Following the disclosure, officers arrested Curtis the same day, and within two days, he was charged and appeared before Warwick Crown Court.
Curtis was already subject to a SHPO due to a previous conviction in 2018, which involved possession of indecent images of children.
He had also been found to breach that order by having unsupervised access to a child under 16.
Detective Constable Kate Edge, from Warwickshire Police’s Child Abuse, Trafficking and Exploitation Team, praised the bravery of the victim and her family for coming forward.
She emphasized that Curtis poses a significant danger to children, and expressed hope that the sentence provides some reassurance for the victim and her loved ones.
The police intend to continue supporting victims and encouraging others to report abuse.
Meanwhile, in an earlier case from 2018, Raymond Curtis, then 49, was found with indecent images of children on his computer.
The police investigation began after a tip-off in June, which led officers to his home on Bucknill Crescent.
Despite initial reluctance, Curtis later admitted ownership of the illegal material during questioning.
The images found included a Category A photograph of a girl who appeared to be around ten years old, with some images depicting children as young as four.
The investigation revealed a disturbing collection of 25 images and videos, some of which had been deleted.
Curtis explained that he was going through personal difficulties, denying any sexual interest in children, and expressed a desire to sever his ties with computers.
The court, presided over by Judge Anthony Potter, condemned his actions, stressing the severity and potential impact of viewing such images.
Curtis was ordered to undertake a 25-day rehabilitation program, register as a sex offender for five years, and pay costs.
The judge acknowledged the timing of the sentence before Christmas was harsh but emphasized the seriousness of seeking out and engaging with child abuse images.
The case underscores the devastating repercussions of child exploitative material, deeply affecting the community of Rugby.
