RICHARD STARMER, WIGAN SCHOOL CARETAKER, JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE

In September 2008, Richard Starmer, a 38-year-old school caretaker from Wigan, was sentenced to two years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl. The incident occurred when Starmer invited the girl into his bedroom, claiming he needed to check something on the internet. Liverpool Crown Court heard that the girl had come with her boyfriend. While inside the room, Starmer, who worked as a caretaker at a junior school and was involved in limousine driving, pinned the girl to the bed, lifted her skirt, and slapped her bottom.

When she attempted to leave, he pushed her back down and encircled her legs around his waist. During the assault, he made a provocative comment to her boyfriend, asking, “What do you reckon? Do we tickle her to death?” The girl observed that Starmer's flies were undone; however, as she tried to get up, he grabbed her and pushed her back down.

Starmer, of Clay Bridge Close, Kitt Green, was convicted of sexual activity with a child. He was cleared of seven similar charges and one count of rape. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of sexual grooming, leading to a discharge.

His defense barrister, Rachel Widdicombe, stated that Starmer was married with two children and had a supportive family. She emphasized that he has no previous convictions and continues to deny the allegations.

Judge David Boulton described Starmer as someone who had been perceived as diligent and well-regarded in the community. Nevertheless, he highlighted a significant flaw in his character and noted the lasting trauma inflicted on the victim.

The judge commented, “This is a serious defect in your character and this sort of behaviour is intolerable. You are in denial so you are unable to receive help.” As part of his sentence, Starmer is required to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and is banned from working with children or having unsupervised access to children for life, with the exception of his own children.