JOHN RIGBY FROM FRINDESBURY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN MAIDSTONE

In a significant case brought before Maidstone Crown Court, John Rigby, a 53-year-old resident of Grasmere Grove in Frindsbury, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young girls. The allegations against Rigby span over two decades, with the earliest abuse dating back to 1988.

Rigby faced a total of twenty-two charges, including six counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, ten counts of indecent assault, and six counts of indecency with a child. Throughout the trial, Rigby maintained his innocence, denying all charges except one, which was left on the court record. Despite his denials, the court found him guilty of all but one of the charges.

The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Rigby’s actions. It was established that he had assaulted one of his victims over a period spanning from 1988 to 2001. The first victim was only eight years old when the abuse began, and it continued until she reached the age of 21. This prolonged period of exploitation highlights the severity and persistence of Rigby’s criminal behavior.

In addition to the first victim, Rigby was also accused of targeting a second girl in 2008, when she was just ten years old. The repeated nature of his offenses underscores a pattern of predatory conduct that spanned many years and affected multiple victims.

Following his conviction, Rigby was sentenced to six years in prison. Furthermore, he will be required to sign the sex offenders register and will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for a period of ten years. These measures are intended to monitor his activities and prevent further harm to the community.

Detective Constable Melanie Riddell expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the case, stating, “I am pleased Rigby has been brought to justice for his crimes. The success of this investigation would not have been possible without the bravery of the victims, and they should be commended for their courage in coming forward to report these crimes. I hope the sentence passed today will allow the victims of these crimes to continue to rebuild their lives, safe in the knowledge that this man will remain in prison for some time.”