RAYMOND PAGE OF CASTLE GRESLEY SENTENCED FOR SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN DERBY

In a case that has shocked the local community, Raymond Page, a 52-year-old man from Castle Gresley, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for the heinous sexual abuse of a young girl over a period of two years. The incident took place at a residence in Derby, where the abuse occurred on multiple occasions when the victim was just eight and nine years old.

Derby Crown Court heard how Page, who pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault against a girl under the age of 13, inappropriately touched the young victim during these encounters. The court was told that the abuse was not an isolated event but part of a pattern of misconduct that deeply violated the trust placed in him.

During the sentencing, Recorder David Chinery described the case as particularly grave, emphasizing the severity of the breach of trust involved. He expressed concern over the young age of the victim at the time of the abuse and questioned the long-term impact such trauma might have on her future wellbeing. The judge remarked, “This is a bad case and a gross breach of trust. This is not an isolated incident of abuse. This victim was very young when you abused her. Who knows what harm has been done to this girl?”

Sarah Knight, the prosecutor, read a statement from the victim’s mother in court. She described her daughter as being left “devastated” and struggling to talk about the abuse. The mother expressed her anguish, stating, “She needs to get over things but it is difficult to realize that things will never be the same again. I want this man punished for what he has done.”

Outside the courtroom, Miss Knight explained that the police were alerted to the abuse after the girl confided in her mother. Following this disclosure, the mother contacted the girl’s school, which then involved social services and law enforcement authorities. Page was arrested on March 1 of this year and was initially questioned about the allegations. Although he denied the accusations at first, he later changed his plea to guilty just four days before his trial was scheduled to commence in May.

Defense representative Clive Stockwell noted that Page had no previous criminal record and acknowledged his client’s remorse, stating, “He recognizes his wrongdoing and the impact it has had. He will go into custody knowing his offences have caused a great deal of trauma.”

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Annie Vernon from Derbyshire police’s child abuse investigation unit expressed her satisfaction with the outcome. She stated, “This man has abused the trust of this child and I am pleased with the sentence he has been given.” As part of his punishment, Page was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct to protect the community from further harm.