TIMOTHY DIGHTON FROM RICKMANSWORTH SENTENCED INDEFINITELY FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Rickmansworth, Timothy Dighton, aged 23, has been sentenced to an indefinite period of imprisonment after being found guilty of making lewd and threatening remarks to young schoolgirls. The court heard that Dighton’s disturbing behavior spanned over several months, during which he targeted vulnerable children in the vicinity of his residence.

According to the prosecution, on Monday at St Albans Crown Court, Dighton’s actions were meticulously detailed. From September 2007, the defendant, who was often seen accompanied by his Jack Russell dog, was observed acting suspiciously around children’s play areas and hiding in nearby bushes, raising concerns among local residents and parents. The court was told that over a four-month period during the summer of 2008, Dighton approached three young girls, each of whom was under the age of 13.

One of the victims, a ten-year-old girl returning home after her netball practice, recounted how Dighton had asked her if he could look up her skirt. She described how he also offered her a lift home and some money, attempts that she managed to evade by hiding behind a tree. Once she was certain he had left, she ran back to her school, visibly distressed, and reported the incident to a teacher.

Another girl, aged 13, was approached by Dighton while she was on her mobile phone in the street. He looked her up and down and made a lewd comment, prompting her to run home and alert authorities. The third girl, aged 11, was on her way to school when Dighton blocked her on the pavement and explicitly told her, “I am going to rape you.” She managed to escape and later reported the threatening encounter to a teacher.

Police apprehended Dighton later that day, September 26, after he was stopped and arrested on suspicion of abduction. During a search of his flat, located on Shepherd’s Lane in Rickmansworth, officers discovered a “Children’s Activity Book” containing sexual references, which further implicated him in the case.

At the hearing, Dighton pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to induce a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, along with two public order offences. His defense lawyer, Peter Darlson, described the case as “sad and disturbing,” emphasizing that Dighton had no prior convictions. Darlson argued that Dighton’s use of “puerile words” was merely an expression of his fantasies and that he had led a troubled life, having been a victim of an attempted rape himself. The lawyer appealed for understanding, stating that Dighton recognized the wrongfulness of his actions, was deeply ashamed, and in need of professional help.

Judge John Plumstead sentenced Dighton to an indeterminate sentence for public protection, meaning he would not be released until authorities deemed him no longer a threat. The judge specified that Dighton must serve a minimum of two years before he could apply for parole. He warned that, without treatment, Dighton posed a serious risk to the public, stating, “Untreated this man is a serious offence waiting to happen.”

Furthermore, the court imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which restricts Dighton from approaching anyone under 16, loitering within 100 meters of a school, engaging in paid or voluntary work involving children, and mandates that he register as a sex offender for life. These measures are designed to protect the community and prevent any future harm from the convicted individual.