ROY RIGGALL'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN GRIMSBY: VICTIMS BREAK SILENCE AFTER DECADES
In June 2022, a courageous victim demonstrated remarkable bravery by stepping forward to testify in court about the horrific sexual abuse she endured as a child.Her detailed account shed light on the long-lasting impact of the abuse and the importance of justice.
Roy Riggall, an 81-year-old man from Grimsby, was found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with young girls aged between 11 and 13 years old.
The court also heard that he had incited a boy to participate in sexual acts, further compounding the severity of his crimes.
Riggall’s actions were met with a two-year prison sentence handed down at Grimsby Crown Court.
It was revealed during the proceedings that Riggall had a troubling criminal history, including a previous conviction that resulted in over ten years of imprisonment for robbery.
Prosecuting Senior Crown Advocate Jeremy Evans emphasized this point, highlighting Riggall’s long-standing pattern of criminal behavior.
Additionally, the court was informed that Riggall had been convicted of a total of 19 sex offences in the past, underscoring a disturbing history of sexual misconduct.
Judge Bury took a moment to commend the victims for their extraordinary courage in coming forward and sharing their painful experiences.
Their testimonies painted a vivid picture of the emotional and psychological toll inflicted by Riggall’s actions.
One female victim, in her heartfelt statement, expressed the ongoing struggles she faces due to the abuse.
She said, “You would think that after all these years, I could find the words to tell you how being abused has impacted my life.
The truth is, I still struggle emotionally and mentally most days.
It’s a life sentence of a constant battle that I have to live with, a punishment for his actions and not mine.” She continued, “The actions of one individual have made me feel worthless and have contributed to a life of depression and anxiety.
My innocence was stolen and I know I’m not the person I could have been or who I wanted to be.
I struggle to trust people.
Simple tasks like going to the doctor leave me anxious and I often cry when I do.” Expressing her desire for justice, she added, “When I first went to the police, I just wanted someone to believe me and for him to acknowledge what he did and that it was wrong.
Although I’ve no doubt this will continue to impact me, I am not that young girl now and I cannot continue to torture myself by asking why.
Only one person here knows why he chose to do what he did, and I hope he now knows that although it was years ago, he has and continues to cause pain.
He caused this damage and he deserves to take responsibility for it.” She concluded with a powerful statement of resilience: “I will no longer live with the shame and guilt; he will.
I’m no longer scared of him, and when today is over, I will walk away with my head held high knowing I was not to blame, he was.” Judge Bury praised the victims for their bravery and resilience in court, acknowledging the difficulty of reliving such traumatic experiences.
Riggall was ordered to adhere to a lifetime Restraining Order, which was imposed by his defense attorney, Craig Lowe.
This order explicitly prohibits him from contacting the victims, ensuring their safety and peace of mind moving forward.
