RICHARD GILL FROM EASINGWOLD AND YORK SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE AT YORK'S YEARSLEY SWIMMING POOL

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Easingwold and York, Richard Gill, a farmworker and resident of Long Street, Easingwold, was sentenced to ten years in prison for heinous sexual offenses committed against a young boy during the 1970s. The court heard that Gill, who was known to the boy’s mother, was entrusted with caring for her son during swimming trips, a trust that was grossly betrayed.

The incidents took place at Yearsley Swimming Pool in York and also in a secluded area on a farm, where Gill subjected the boy to what the court described as 'disgusting' sexual abuse. The young victim, who was only ten and eleven years old at the time, endured a series of assaults that left lasting scars. The court was told that Gill’s behavior was not limited to these acts alone but also included displaying 'deviant' sexual conduct, which the boy witnessed and experienced firsthand.

The abuse ceased when the boy reached the age of eleven, but the trauma persisted for decades. It was revealed during the trial that even 30 years later, the victim could vividly recall the pain and emotional damage caused by Gill’s actions. The impact of the abuse extended beyond the victim himself, affecting his relationship with his mother, who only discovered the truth after the abuse had ended. She was overwhelmed with guilt, feeling she had failed to protect her son.

Judge Stephen Ashurst, the Recorder of York, addressed the court and emphasized that the mother bore no fault in the matter, stating that Gill had egregiously breached her trust. Turning to Gill, now aged 67, the judge condemned his actions, describing how he, as a 28-year-old man, had engaged in prolonged and disgusting abuse of a ten-year-old boy.

Gill faced six charges of indecent assault and two more serious sexual offenses. He denied all charges, but the jury convicted him after hearing compelling testimony from both the victim and his mother. Detective Constable Vincent Morris expressed his appreciation for the victim’s bravery in coming forward after so many years, noting that without his courage, Gill might never have been brought to justice. Morris added that the sentence aims to provide closure for the victim and encourage other victims to come forward, assuring them that the justice system will take their claims seriously.

During the trial, Gill’s legal representative, barrister Peter Byrne, stated that his client had only abused one boy and had not offended since. Byrne also mentioned that Gill was in poor health, suggesting that a prison sentence would be particularly difficult for him compared to a younger individual. Despite these mitigating factors, the court upheld the severity of the crimes committed and sentenced Gill accordingly, sending a clear message about the importance of protecting children and holding offenders accountable.