RICHARD DICKENS FROM CORBY AND POTTON FOUND GUILTY OF CHILD RAPE AFTER OVER A DECADE ON THE RUN

In a significant development in a long-standing case of child abuse, Richard Dickens, aged 28, has been convicted of multiple serious charges related to the sexual assault of a young girl nearly 13 years ago. The offences took place when Dickens was residing in Corby, Northamptonshire, during 1994, and the case has spanned over a decade before reaching its conclusion.

According to the court proceedings, Dickens faced four counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault, all pertaining to the same victim, who was only ten years old at the time of the incidents. The victim, now 23 years old, provided a detailed account during her testimony at Northampton Crown Court, revealing that she was subjected to sexual abuse approximately 20 to 30 times during her childhood. Her allegations paint a disturbing picture of repeated violations committed by Dickens during that period.

Dickens, who currently resides on Blackbird Road in Potton, vehemently denied all charges brought against him. Despite his denials, the victim's testimony was compelling and detailed, leading to his conviction. The court heard that on one occasion, a relative of the victim entered the bedroom shortly after an incident and observed the two in a compromising situation. The relative claimed to have seen Dickens and the girl naked from the waist down and in close contact. Dickens explained that this was part of a game of show-and-tell, asserting that no touching had occurred. However, this explanation was not sufficient to sway the jury.

Furthermore, the victim’s mother was not informed of the incident at the time. Instead, Dickens’ mother, Anne Jordan, was told about the situation. Mrs. Jordan stated, “There would have been no time when Richard and the victim were alone together. I wouldn’t come to court to lie for him.” Her statement was part of the evidence considered during the trial, which ultimately led to Dickens’ conviction.

The abuse was formally reported to police in 2004, a decade after the incidents, when the victim decided she no longer wanted Dickens to evade justice. The case highlights the importance of perseverance in bringing offenders to justice, even after many years have passed. Dickens now faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence as a result of his actions, which have caused lasting trauma to the victim and her family.