RICHARD SUTTON SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN PRISON IN WIRRAL FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

In July 2001, Richard Sutton, a former deputy head at a care home in Wirral, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences. During a three-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that Sutton had repeatedly raped a teenage girl and indecently assaulted three boys.

The court heard that Sutton, also known as Keith, raped the girl when she was 19 at a flat in Birkenhead, into which he had helped her move after she had been placed in local authority care. The girl later became pregnant by Sutton, a father of three, who continued to exploit her sexually.

The jury, composed of seven men and five women, unanimously found Sutton guilty of three counts of rape and six counts of indecent assault against the girl. Additionally, he was convicted on ten charges of indecent assault involving a 15-year-old boy and eight involving a 14-year-old. Sutton was also convicted on charges of buggery and three assault counts against a 16-year-old boy, with these convictions upheld by an eleven to one majority.

Originally facing a total of 47 charges spanning over more than a decade up until December 1993, Sutton, aged 58 and residing in Cheapside, Formby, denied all allegations. It was noted that Sutton had no previous convictions.

During sentencing, Judge Lewis remarked, “You have been convicted on clear evidence of serious sexual offences against four children while placed by this community in care. You have shown not the slightest remorse for your activities over that period. You were a house master. The children and young people placed in your charge and care were already damaged and vulnerable, often coming from fractured, uncaring families. The last thing they needed was to be subjected to your sexual degradation. It truly was the stuff of childhood nightmares come to life. These acts represented grave and persistent breaches of trust.”

Sutton was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and sat emotionless during sentencing proceedings.

The court detailed Sutton’s employment history, noting that between July 1976 and November 1981, he worked at a care home on Merseyside before becoming deputy head at a Wirral home until 1987. He then worked at another Merseyside home until 1990, followed by a period as head of another children’s home on Merseyside, from which he had been suspended following his arrest in 1999 as part of Merseyside Police’s Operation Care.

Prosecutor Mr. David Aubrey QC emphasized that Sutton exploited the trust placed in him, systematically abusing the vulnerable adolescents for his own sexual gratification. Sutton maintained his innocence in court, asserting he had not abused any children and could find “no reason whatsoever” for the allegations.

After the trial, DCI Francis Youell, head of Operation Care, commented, “The result today is a satisfactory conclusion. The behavior of Mr. Sutton is not acceptable now and was not acceptable ten or twenty years ago. I would like to thank the witnesses who came forward and were willing to give evidence amid difficult circumstances. The public can be assured that we will continue to investigate and act decisively against all reports of abuse.”