RICKY LOPPAS OF HISTON SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOYS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Ricky Loppas, a 47-year-old man from Chieftain Way, Cambridge, was sentenced to a total of four years in prison after being found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing two schoolboys. The incident, which took place in the vicinity of Histon, has highlighted the disturbing nature of the offences and the importance of vigilant intervention.

According to court records, Loppas pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, as well as a charge of supplying controlled Class B drugs. The prosecution, led by Hugh Vass, detailed how Loppas had initially gained the trust of the young boys by providing them with alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. This grooming process eventually escalated to physical contact, with Loppas offering the boys back massages that later turned into sexual acts.

The case came to light when the mother of one of the victims discovered what was happening. Her intervention was crucial in bringing the situation to an end, prompting her to report her concerns to the authorities. Following her report, Loppas was swiftly arrested and taken into custody at Huntingdon police station, where he was questioned and subsequently charged.

During the sentencing hearing at Cambridge Crown Court, Mark Shelley, representing the defendant, requested that Loppas be given credit for his guilty plea, emphasizing that he is a hard-working individual. Shelley expressed that it was very difficult for Loppas to accept the prospect of imprisonment, describing it as a heavy burden for him to bear.

However, Judge Jonathan Haworth dismissed these pleas for leniency, stating that the gravity of the offences warranted immediate custody. The judge remarked, “You were grooming them in the classic sense for sexual abuse. Fortunately, word got back to the mother of one of the victims, and it was brought to an abrupt end. Without that intervention, this could have been a lot worse.”

Judge Haworth also highlighted the significant age disparity between Loppas and his victims, which he considered to be an aggravating factor that increased the seriousness of the offences. As a result, Loppas was sentenced to four years for each of the sexual activity counts, with an additional 12 months for the drug supply, all to be served concurrently. Furthermore, he was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order to prevent any contact with the victims in the future.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and swift action in protecting vulnerable young individuals from exploitation and abuse, and it serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact such crimes can have on victims and their families.