RICHARD CARLETON UPCHURCH PERVERT SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Upchurch, pensioner Richard Carleton has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 11 years after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against three young girls over a span of several years.

Carleton, aged 69 and residing on Wetham Green in Upchurch, faced a total of fourteen charges, including causing a child to watch a sexual act, assault by penetration, sexual assault on a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual acts, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and indecency with a child. Despite his initial denial of all allegations, the court convicted him on all counts, with three verdicts reaching unanimity and the remaining by majority decision.

During the sentencing hearing at Maidstone Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Carey addressed Carleton directly, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge stated, “You have been convicted on clear evidence of serious sex offences. You leave behind a trail of misery and grief. This was for your depraved satisfaction. This was not an isolated incident. A substantial prison sentence is inevitable. You abused three young girls who were highly vulnerable.”

Judge Carey further remarked that while Carleton’s prison term would serve as a punishment, the emotional scars inflicted on the victims and their families would likely never fully heal. The court heard harrowing details of the abuse, which included the victims’ accounts of Carleton’s manipulative and predatory behavior.

Prosecutor Eloise Marshall outlined the disturbing evidence presented during the trial. She revealed that the parents of one girl contacted the police after their daughter disclosed that Carleton had shown her pornography on his computer. The images and videos included explicit scenes involving schoolgirls, and Carleton had also exposed himself to the girl. On one occasion, he attempted to coerce her into touching him sexually.

Another young girl testified that Carleton had molested her. She described how he performed a sexual act in front of her, rubbed against her, and made her touch him. She recounted that Carleton behaved as if nothing had happened afterward. The girl also described an incident where she was reluctant, but Carleton insisted that “it had to be done,” and he showed her a leaflet containing pornographic images. He then performed a sexual act in her presence and asked her to do the same.

The third victim recounted a separate incident from several years prior, where Carleton had asked her, “Do you want to see something?” before exposing himself and persuading her to touch him sexually. Throughout the trial, Carleton maintained his innocence, denying all allegations made against him.

The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Upchurch, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding vulnerable children from predators like Richard Carleton.