RICHARD WILLIS FROM SHAFTESBURY SENTENCED TO 14.5 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL IN DORCHESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Richard Willis, a 27-year-old man from North Fields, Tarrant Hinton in Blandford, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 and a half years after being convicted of multiple serious sex offences committed against a young girl. The crimes, which spanned from August 2009 to January 2014, involved the victim, who was as young as five years old at the time, enduring a series of heinous acts that have left lasting scars.

Willis faced a trial at Dorchester Crown Court where he was found guilty of six counts of sexual offences, including rape. The charges included rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of causing or enticing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13. Despite initially pleading not guilty, the evidence presented in court proved overwhelming, leading to his conviction.

The offences only came to light after the victim, during a school conversation, made a 'sexualised comment' to a friend. The court heard that Willis had violated the young girl in what the prosecution described as 'the grossest way possible.' Rebecca Austin, the prosecutor, detailed how the victim had spoken to Willis about what was happening, describing it as feeling 'weird.' Willis reportedly attempted to normalize his actions by telling her that what they were doing was 'normal.'

It was also revealed that Willis had no prior convictions related to sexual offences, which added a layer of complexity to the case. His initial sentence in November 2014 was 14 and a half years, but this was later quashed following an appeal and the emergence of new evidence, leading to a retrial. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Jonathan Fuller QC addressed Willis directly, emphasizing the profound impact his actions had on the victim. The judge stated, 'The effect it has had on [the victim] is considerable, who is struggling to cope with what you have done to her. You told her not to tell anyone and tried to normalise the behaviour by saying just that, that it was normal.'

Ultimately, Willis was sentenced to serve 14 and a half years in prison for the six offences. Additionally, he was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his contact and activities to prevent further harm. The victim's family expressed their relief and pride in her resilience, saying, 'It has been a long two years. We are just relieved that she is believed again. This has absolutely destroyed our family. We can’t put it into words how proud we are of her — to go through it not once but twice. Justice has been served and we can now try and move on the best we can.'

In a related case from November 2014, Willis, then aged 25 and living in Shaftesbury, was also convicted of similar offences involving a young girl. He was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a girl under 13 over a period of several years, beginning when she was just five years old. His sentences for these offences included 174 months for rape, with additional concurrent terms for sexual assault and inciting sexual activity. Willis was also subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. His earliest possible release date was set for February 2022, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.