JOSEPH RICHARDS FROM LANNER AND REDRUTH JAILED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN CORNWALL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Lanner and Redruth in Cornwall, Joseph Richards, aged 51, has been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of three children over a span of 15 years. The court heard that Richards, who resides in Strawberry Fields, Lanner, near Camborne, committed these acts against two girls and one boy, with some offenses occurring as far back as 1993 and as recently as 2009.

Judge Barry Cotter, presiding over the case at Exeter Crown Court, described Richards as a 'dangerous' individual whose actions were both 'sustained and appalling.' The judge emphasized the grave nature of the crimes, noting that Richards posed a significant risk of reoffending in the future. As part of the sentencing, Richards was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars before he could be considered for parole. However, Judge Cotter made it clear that if Richards were to offend again, he could face an additional 12 years in prison.

The court was informed that some of the abuse took place with a gap of 12 years between incidents, and the victims, who are now adults, had no real connection to each other. Richards was convicted following a trial at Truro Crown Court in September, where the jury found him guilty of 18 counts, including rape, indecent assault, and indecency.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Richards remained in denial about his actions, complicating efforts to address his accountability. The victims, whose identities are protected for legal reasons, provided video evidence and were cross-examined during the trial, demonstrating their bravery in coming forward despite the trauma they endured.

Detective Constable Jon Viant of Camborne CID, who led the investigation, explained that the first allegations surfaced in 2006, with subsequent reports in 2009 and 2011. It was only after the third victim came forward that sufficient evidence was gathered to charge Richards. The police investigation, described as sensitive and complex, spanned two years and was driven by the courage of the victims.

Richards was found guilty of multiple charges, including three counts of raping a girl between March 1993 and March 1996, and four counts of indecently assaulting her. He was also convicted of four counts of indecent assault and three of indecency with a boy during the same period. Additionally, he was found guilty of four counts of raping another girl between November 2008 and November 2009. A charge of indecency with the boy was deemed not proven.

Following the verdict, Detective Viant reassured the public that Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to pursuing justice regardless of how long ago crimes occurred. Richards is scheduled to be sentenced next month after the completion of a pre-sentence report, with the court emphasizing that the sentence will be lengthy given the severity of his offenses.