RICKI ROBERTS FROM WREXHAM ADMITS SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND WALKS FREE

In November 2013, a disturbing incident unfolded on the streets of Wrexham involving Ricki Roberts, a 31-year-old man whose actions left a young girl terrified and shaken. The events began when Roberts, who resides on Monger Road in Wrexham, approached a 13-year-old schoolgirl and her older friend as they were walking along a local street.

According to court reports, Roberts initially attempted to engage the older girl in conversation, asking her for a kiss. She refused his advances and quickly ran away from the scene. However, Roberts did not cease his pursuit. Instead, he turned his attention to the younger girl, following her along the street and persistently trying to coax her into kissing him.

During this encounter, Roberts made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature, which the court described as persistent and clearly intended to provoke some form of sexual interaction. The situation escalated when Roberts lifted the young girl’s top, exposing her skin in a manner that was both invasive and frightening. The court was told that the girl was visibly distressed, fearing she might be subjected to a serious sexual assault.

Judge Niclas Parry, presiding at Mold Crown Court, addressed Roberts directly, emphasizing the severity of his actions. He noted that Roberts had already served the equivalent of a six-month sentence while on remand and sentenced him to a three-year community order. This included supervision and participation in a community sex offender program. Additionally, Roberts is required to register as a sex offender with the police for a period of five years.

Judge Parry expressed concern over Roberts’ lack of understanding of the impact of his behavior, stating, “I don’t think you appreciate this. This was a frightening and very uncomfortable experience for a young child. She was walking in public with another young girl and they were accosted by you. You were persistent, the comments you were making were comments of a sexual nature. You were determined to have some sort of sexual encounter however mild that may have been and you were making that clear.”

The judge further explained that Roberts ignored multiple requests to cease his actions. When the older girl managed to escape and ran off, Roberts then turned his focus to the younger girl. He lifted her jumper, exposing her skin, which the court confirmed as a sexual act given the context of his earlier comments. The young girl was understandably terrified, believing she might be subjected to a serious sexual attack, a fear that was deemed reasonable by the court.

Prosecutor Jayne La Grua recounted the events of February 26, when Roberts approached the two girls in the street. He engaged them in conversation, showing off his tattoos, and followed them after they attempted to walk home. Despite their efforts to ignore him and tell him to go away, Roberts continued to follow them, even on his bicycle. When the older girl refused his request for a kiss and ran away, Roberts then targeted the younger girl, asking her for a kiss. She firmly refused, stating, “I am only 13, I don’t want to give you a kiss.”

Despite her clear refusal, Roberts persisted, grabbing her and lifting her top while demanding, “Give me a kiss now.” The girl managed to pull away and ran home to inform her mother about the incident. The police were subsequently called.

Officers from the Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) encountered Roberts later that day in Queensway, where he was found with injuries and only one shoe. Roberts claimed he had been assaulted and did not wish to file a complaint, accepting a lift home from the officers. However, during the journey, the officers received information linking Roberts to the earlier incident involving the young girl. Recognizing his description, they arrested him and took him into custody at the police station.

Roberts’ defense lawyer, John Hedgecoe, highlighted that Roberts had already served three months on remand, which equates to a six-month sentence. He also noted that Roberts had undergone a significant personality change since the incident, having detoxed from substances and showing willingness to cooperate with probation services. Hedgecoe expressed hope that Roberts could turn his life around if he maintained his positive progress.

In conclusion, the court sentenced Roberts to a community order with supervision and mandated his registration as a sex offender for five years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the impact on the young victim. The case underscores the importance of addressing such disturbing behavior and protecting vulnerable members of the community in Wrexham.