RAYMOND WILD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN HARTLEPOOL AND MALDON

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Raymond Wild, a man with ties to Hartlepool and Maldon, has finally been brought to justice for the sexual abuse of a young girl. The disturbing events date back more than 30 years, when Wild was accused of repeatedly molesting the victim during her childhood. The victim, who was too frightened to speak out at the time, was manipulated into keeping her ordeal a secret by Wild, who told her it was “their secret.”

It was only years later, as she grew older, that she confided in others and found the courage to confront her abuser. During a tense encounter in the 1990s, she told Wild that he had destroyed her life and demanded to know why he had committed such acts. According to court reports, Wild responded with a chilling remark, saying, “I thought that this day would never come… I thought you wanted it to happen. I thought you liked it.”

Despite expressing remorse, Wild denied the allegations and attempted to persuade others that the accusations were false, labeling the victim as a troublemaker. For many years, she was denied justice, her claims dismissed or ignored. Prosecutor Paul Cleasby revealed that the victim reported the abuse to police in 2002, but at that time, authorities decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a case. Wild, who has lived in various areas including central Middlesbrough, Hemlington, Coulby Newham, and Barnard Castle, consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The case was reopened in 2015 after the victim requested a review. New evidence emerged, leading to a trial where Wild maintained his innocence, refusing to admit guilt. The woman, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, described the emotional toll of the ordeal. In a statement read aloud at Teesside Crown Court, she expressed how the process of giving evidence had been devastating, likening it to being on trial herself. She described Wild as her “worst nightmare” and detailed how the abuse had left her feeling terrified, emotionally confused, and overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment.

The impact of the abuse extended beyond her personal trauma, affecting her marriage, her children, and her professional life. She recounted experiencing intrusive thoughts that led to anxiety and depression, illustrating the profound and lasting effects of Wild’s actions.

Wild faced seven charges of indecent assault, of which he was convicted on three by a jury last month. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining four counts, which were left on the court file. His defense argued that the crimes occurred over 30 years ago and that Wild had led a blameless life since then. They also highlighted his poor health, including chronic heart disease, and his financial difficulties, which were exacerbated by the case. Wild, who previously worked in sales, a failed novelty shop, and as a bid writer for an engineering firm, now faces the prospect of losing his home in Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, a property valued at around £300,000.

Judge Howard Crowson acknowledged the victim’s bravery and persistence, emphasizing that she should feel no guilt and is blameless. Wild was sentenced to 11 years in prison, with an additional two years of supervised release. He will also be registered as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.

In a related case from January 2018, Wild, then a serving police officer in Hartlepool, was convicted of child sex abuse after a jury at Teesside Crown Court found him guilty of three charges of sexual assault involving a young girl. Wild, who had left the police force to open a shop, was accused of abusing the girl after his departure from law enforcement. The jury could not reach a verdict on four other charges, which involved Wild allegedly inciting the girl to touch him and perform a sex act. The judge discharged the jury from deliberating on those counts, indicating that further consideration was unlikely to yield a different result.

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby stated that the Crown would consult with the victim before deciding whether to pursue a retrial, but his initial assessment suggested that further proceedings were improbable. Wild, aged 62 and residing in Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, denied five charges of sexual assault of a child and two charges of indecency with a child. The court adjourned sentencing until February 12, with the judge indicating that Wild was likely to face a prison sentence. Wild was granted bail under strict conditions, including a prohibition on contacting the victim directly or indirectly and restrictions on discussing her on social media.