RONALD DIDD SENTENCED IN LITTLEHAMPTON FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST TEENAGER
A paedophile and rapist has been sentenced to nearly ten years in prison for sexual offences committed against a young girl.Ronald Didd, of Potters Mead, Littlehampton, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, March 11.
He previously admitted to one count of rape and three counts of other sexual activity involving the teenage victim.
Didd, aged 62, will serve a custodial sentence of seven and a half years, followed by a two and a half year period on extended licence.
He will also be registered as a sex offender for life and has been issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that severely restricts his access to female children.
Additionally, he received a Restraining Order prohibiting any contact with the victim or her family, which will be in effect for ten years after his release.
Prior to residing in Littlehampton, Didd had lived in North East Kent and in the Battersea and Croydon areas of South London.
Detective Constable Jason Berney from the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit commented: "Didd met the victim’s vulnerable family and, over a period of two years, manipulated them to gain unrestricted access to a child and carry out the offences while she stayed at his home." He added, "He caused great harm and fear to the victim, who was very brave to give evidence to police and support the investigation.
Following our inquiry, Didd had little choice but to plead guilty to the charges." Detective Berney praised the victim’s courage, saying: "The victim in this case really needs to be commended for her bravery, as this was extremely traumatic.
He manipulated her family, left her feeling isolated and vulnerable, yet she still had the strength to speak out against him." Friday, March 18, marks National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, on which Sussex Police reaffirm their commitment to protecting at-risk individuals and preventing harm by scrutinising suspicious behaviours, re-examining cases, and convicting offenders.
The force encourages residents to contact them if they are concerned about a neighbour, friend, or family member."
