RONALD ATKINSON PLYMOUTH CHILD RAPE SCANDAL SHOCKS LOCAL COMMUNITY
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Plymouth, a 72-year-old man named Ronald Atkinson has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over three decades ago.The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse involving two young girls, with the earliest offenses dating back to the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Ronald Atkinson, a resident of South Down Road in North Prospect, Plymouth, was found guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors.
The Plymouth Crown Court heard that he had repeatedly raped one girl and also sexually assaulted another, with the crimes spanning a period of more than 30 years.
The court was told that Atkinson had taken steps to silence his first victim by giving her money, a tactic often used by predators to buy their silence and prevent disclosure.
Specifically, Atkinson admitted to one count of raping a girl under the age of 16 in the years 1979 and 1980.
Additionally, he confessed to three counts of gross indecency with the same girl during 1977 and 1978.
The court also heard that he had committed three further offenses of indecently touching another child between December of the previous year and April of this year, highlighting a disturbing pattern of ongoing abuse.
Judge Paul Dunkels addressed Atkinson directly during the sentencing, emphasizing the severity of his crimes.
He stated, “You have pleaded guilty to a series of serious sexual offences against young girls.
I make it clear that the charge of rape you have admitted represents repeated rapes by you.” The judge’s words underscored the gravity of the offenses and the betrayal of trust involved.
Alistair Verheijen, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, provided additional context, revealing that Atkinson had begun abusing his first victim when she was just eight years old.
The abuse escalated over time, culminating in repeated rapes as she grew older.
Mr.
Verheijen explained that Atkinson would often give her money either before or after the assaults, a tactic aimed at coercing her silence and cooperation.
The investigation into these crimes was triggered when the second victim’s family reported Atkinson’s latest offenses in April of this year.
This led police to uncover the earlier abuse, which had remained hidden for decades.
In his defense, Atkinson’s solicitor, Ali Rafati, stated that he had admitted to the rape of the first victim even before any formal complaint was made, which spared the victims the ordeal of giving evidence in court.
Mr.
Rafati also mentioned that Atkinson had suffered a stroke, resulting in the loss of movement on one side of his body, and that he had been disowned by his family, facing a lonely and difficult time in custody.
Judge Dunkels condemned Atkinson’s grooming behavior, noting that he had increased the level of sexual contact as his first victim grew older.
The judge remarked, “You progressed to repeatedly raping her.
You gave her money to buy her co-operation and silence.” As part of his sentence, Atkinson will be registered on the Sex Offender Register for life and is permanently barred from working with children, reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed his crimes and the need to protect the community from further harm.
