HELEN MAY RAMSGATE CARE WORKER JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD IN HER CARE

In March 2018, a woman from Ramsgate was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault involving a child she was responsible for in her care. Helen May, aged 49 and residing on Hopes Lane in Ramsgate, was convicted by a jury of seven separate charges related to her inappropriate conduct towards the young victim.

The case revealed disturbing details of how May began grooming the child at a care home located in Thanet. It was reported that she initially engaged the child with gestures of affection, including a kiss, which gradually escalated into a sexual relationship. Throughout the grooming process, May appeared to manipulate the child's feelings, despite the fact that the victim was described as being particularly vulnerable.

One of the key pieces of evidence was a diary kept by the child, which was discovered during police investigations. The diary was written in a simple code, which, once deciphered, exposed the abuse. However, when questioned by authorities, the child was coerced into denying the truth, claiming that the diary's contents were fictional. This denial was part of the ongoing manipulation by May.

There were instances where May was caught in the same room as the victim, with her claiming that the child had merely come to watch television. Despite these claims, the evidence suggested a pattern of inappropriate behavior. The police were called after the diary was found, but initially, no charges were filed because the child insisted that the allegations were false.

Further investigations uncovered that even after May left her employment at the care home, the inappropriate relationship persisted for several more years. It was only many years later, when the victim confided in others, that the case was reopened. The victim’s disclosures led to renewed police action, culminating in May’s arrest and subsequent trial.

During the court proceedings, May admitted to having a sexual relationship with the victim but insisted that the encounters only occurred after the victim had turned 16. The jury, however, rejected her account, finding her guilty of the charges.

May’s defense lawyer, Tom Dunn, argued that she was not inherently a predatory offender and suggested that her actions were a one-off incident. He emphasized that many individuals drawn to caring professions do so out of genuine concern for others. Mr. Dunn requested that the court consider a sentence that would give May some hope for rehabilitation, describing it as a chance for her to emerge from a difficult period.

Nevertheless, the presiding judge, Recorder Catherine Brown, was clear in her judgment. She condemned May for her use of drugs and alcohol, which she believed facilitated her inappropriate behavior and contributed to the psychological harm inflicted on the victim. The judge highlighted that May’s actions had caused significant emotional damage and that her misconduct was a betrayal of the trust placed in her as a care worker in Ramsgate.