BLACKBURN MAN STEVEN RIGBY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 15-YEAR-OLD VICTIM
In a case that has shocked the Blackburn community, Steven Rigby, a 22-year-old man from Blackburn, has been sentenced to prison for engaging in sexual activities with a minor and attempting to intimidate a young witness.The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Rigby's actions and the steps taken by authorities to bring him to justice.
According to court records, Rigby was introduced to a group of teenagers, including the victim, through mutual friends in June 2011.
The relationship between Rigby and the victim, a 15-year-old girl, was initially casual, but it quickly escalated to inappropriate and illegal conduct.
After their first meeting, during which they exchanged contact details, Rigby began to communicate with the girl through various channels, including text messages and social media platforms.
Prosecutors stated that Rigby offered to pay for a taxi to bring the girl to his home in Ermine Close, Blackburn, for further meetings.
It was during their second encounter that Rigby engaged in unprotected sexual activity with the underage girl, an act that is both illegal and deeply concerning.
The court heard that the relationship was characterized as unhealthy and exploitative.
The victim herself took the brave step of reporting the abuse after attending a workshop organized by the multi-agency Engage team, which is dedicated to combating child exploitation in Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, and Ribble Valley.
Det Sgt Mark Whelan explained the significance of this intervention, stating, “The Engage team held a workshop at the victim’s school and after participating in an activity looking at what makes a safe and unsafe relationship she decided to tell us what had been happening there and then.
This shows just how important our engagement is with local schools and our multi-agency approach into tackling child exploitation.” Following her disclosure, Rigby was arrested and charged.
During the trial, it was also revealed that Rigby had attempted to silence a witness to his abuse by sending hundreds of messages via text and Facebook, trying to coerce her into retracting her statement.
This witness intimidation resulted in an additional sentence of two months in prison, to run consecutively with his other sentences.
Judge Helen Lloyd sentenced Rigby to 30 months in prison for each of the two counts of sexual activity with a minor, with the sentences to be served consecutively, totaling five years.
Furthermore, Rigby was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was disqualified from working with children indefinitely.
A three-year restraining order was also imposed to prevent him from contacting the victim or her family.
Det Sgt Whelan expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “This man has a complete disregard for women in general and he took advantage of this young victim.
I am pleased Rigby has been sent to prison for a considerable length of time and I am hopeful this will help bring some closure for his victim.” The case underscores the importance of community vigilance and the effectiveness of multi-agency efforts in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation and abuse.
