RICHARD SLATER FROM ISLEWORTH JAILED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL NEAR LONDON

In September 2017, a man from Isleworth was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of grooming a 14-year-old girl and engaging in sexual activities with her. Richard Slater, aged 46 and residing on Unwin Road in Isleworth, was convicted of multiple serious offenses related to the exploitation of a minor.

According to court records and police reports, Slater systematically manipulated the young girl by offering her drugs and gifts, thereby gaining her trust and lowering her inhibitions. It was established that he was fully aware of her age, as he knew her family personally, which added a disturbing layer to his misconduct. Over time, his grooming behavior escalated, and by September 2016, he convinced the girl that he was in love with her. This emotional manipulation led to a sexual encounter, marking a significant escalation in his criminal conduct.

The case took a darker turn when the girl was reported missing around this period. Police quickly responded and, within a short time, located her in Slater’s bedroom. He was promptly arrested at the scene but was released on police bail under strict conditions, including a prohibition on contacting the victim. Despite these restrictions, the girl was reported missing again the following month. She was later found outside Slater’s residence, and in November, during a bail check, she was discovered hiding in an alleyway behind his house.

In response to these incidents, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command acted swiftly. On 24 November 2016, they successfully obtained an Interim Sexual Risk Order against Slater at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, aiming to prevent further harm. However, the situation intensified in January 2017 when surveillance operations caught Slater on Hounslow Heath with the victim. This led to his arrest on charges including Child Abduction, Breach of a Sexual Risk Order, and possession of cannabis.

Further charges were brought against Slater on 28 June, including Engaging in Sexual Activity with a Child, Grooming, and an additional breach of the Sexual Risk Order. He pleaded guilty to all six charges, acknowledging his guilt in court. The case was heard at Kingston Crown Court, where on Friday, 15 September, Slater was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order against him, and he is now required to register as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.