RICHARD FORD FROM CROXLEY GREEN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES AND COURT ORDER BREACHES IN HERTFORDSHIRE

In May 2013, Richard Ford, a resident of Croxley Green, faced serious legal consequences after being found in possession of explicit images involving children and breaching court-imposed restrictions. The incident unfolded when police officers, during a routine check, observed Ford driving his mother’s van, despite him being under a driving ban at the time. The officers’ attention was drawn to the vehicle, which was being moved by Ford, who was behind the wheel of his mother’s van while she was away on holiday. This act alone was enough to warrant suspicion and subsequent investigation.

Upon arrest, authorities discovered that Ford, aged 42, was already a registered sex offender. His criminal record included two prior convictions for creating and possessing indecent images of children, with court dates in September 2009 and May 2012. These convictions had led to the imposition of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which restricted Ford from owning or using devices capable of internet access unless equipped with software to monitor his activity. Despite these restrictions, police found that Ford had continued to download and store depraved images, including those depicting children being raped and sexually abused, as well as explicit pictures involving acts of bestiality.

Further investigation revealed that Ford had been in breach of the SOPO on multiple occasions. On one occasion, police found a mobile phone in a jacket within the van, containing a folder labeled “kids,” which, when opened, displayed indecent images of young girls. Additional obscene images were uncovered on a mobile device and a laptop found at Ford’s residence. The High Tech Crime Unit of Hertfordshire Police was called in to assist with the digital forensic analysis, uncovering more disturbing content.

Ford’s criminal history extended back to 1991, with convictions spanning theft, assault, drink driving, child cruelty, possession of indecent images, and breaching restraining orders. The court was informed that Ford had inflicted acts of cruelty on two young children, and there was evidence suggesting he was seeking relationships with women who had small children, raising further concerns about his potential risk to the public.

During the sentencing hearing at St Albans Crown Court, Judge John Plumstead described the case as having “disquieting features” and emphasized the seriousness of Ford’s actions. The judge noted that Ford had shown a persistent pattern of offending and had failed to accept the harm caused by his behavior. He expressed concern that Ford had refused to stop his internet-related offenses despite efforts to help him. The judge concluded that Ford posed a significant danger to children and the community at large.

As a result, Judge Plumstead sentenced Ford to an extended term of ten and a half years, comprising four and a half years of imprisonment followed by six years on license. Additionally, Ford was disqualified from driving for four months and was placed under a further Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The court’s decision reflected the gravity of Ford’s repeated breaches and the ongoing threat he posed.

Earlier incidents involving Ford include a 2012 case where he was jailed for breaching a court order after spending nights with a woman he met through online dating. Ford, then 40, had previously been sentenced in September 2009 to 25 months in prison for possessing over 1,500 indecent images of children. During that period, he had also made false claims to authorities, asserting he was trying to protect his teenage son from prosecution. Ford’s criminal record is extensive, with convictions for assaulting his children, failing to comply with reporting requirements, and other offenses dating back to his youth. His history of violent and sexual offenses underscores the ongoing risk he presents.

In court, Ford’s defense argued that he had fully complied with all restrictions since his release from prison and that his relationship with the woman in Bushey was innocent. However, the judge dismissed these claims, emphasizing the importance of public safety and the need to prevent further harm. Ford was ultimately sentenced to six months in prison for failing to comply with the court order, with the sentence to be served in two halves. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and to avoid unsupervised contact with children under 16, reflecting the court’s concern over his potential to reoffend.

Throughout these proceedings, the courts highlighted the disturbing nature of Ford’s offenses, his refusal to accept responsibility, and his continued pattern of offending despite previous convictions and court orders. His case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant law enforcement and judicial oversight in protecting vulnerable members of society from repeat offenders like Richard Ford from Croxley Green.