Martin Richards, of Choppington, subjected a child to sickening sex attacks which left her traumatised and needing blood tests and medication to make sure he hadn’t passed on HIV
A paedophile prison officer who raped a young child despite knowing he was HIV positive has been jailed for 22 years.
Martin Richards subjected the youngster to sickening sex attacks which have left her and her family traumatised. The youngster faced blood tests and had to take tablets during an anxious wait to ensure she had not been infected with the virus.
As Richards, 50, of Windsor Terrace, Choppington, Northumberland, was given the lengthy sentence at Newcastle Crown Court, he put his head in his hands. In a victim impact statement, the victim’s mother said: “The impact of the crimes he committed has been profound.
“Until we could be sure she didn’t have HIV she had to take several tablets. She would get so distressed when taking then she would be sick.
“I’ve struggled to come to terms with what happened. Her confidence is drained and she’s particularly nervous around unknown males.
“We are devastated for her and what she’s been through. We can only hope she can start to heal and start to trust again. He has stolen so much of her childhood.”
The woman branded Richards “calculating and manipulative” and added: “He is a dangerous paedophile who has no place in society. From today we hope to move forward with the knowledge he will be in prison for a very long time.”
Richards, who has 33 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault on a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act and attempting to pervert the course of justice by sending the victim’s family letters trying to get the charges dropped. He was convicted by a jury of offences of rape, sexual assault and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Judge Gavin Doig jailed him for a total of 22 years, of which he must serve two-thirds behind bars. He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order and must sign the sex offenders register for life.
The judge, referring to Richards’ HIV, said: “That didn’t stop him committing sexual offences. This was sickening behaviour on behalf of the defendant. It’s of great good fortune the infection was not passed to her but he took the risk it could be.”
The court heard he continues to deny the more serious charges he was convicted of and denies having a sexual attraction to children. Fiona Lamb, defending, said he was diagnosed with HIV but it was caught early and he was put on medication, which suppresses it and ensures it can’t be passed on.
Miss Lamb said Richards had trained as a prison officer and “spent about 12 weeks in that role before his remand”. She added: “He is devastated he won’t see his mum again alive in the community because of her age and the length of the sentence.
“There is some appreciation for the impact of his behaviour. He knows it should never have happened and he needs to seek assistance while in custody.”
