RICKY CLENCH FROM HARROGATE AND NORTHALLERTON SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Harrogate and Northallerton, Ricky Andrew Clench, a 41-year-old man, has been convicted and sentenced for a disturbing series of child sexual offences committed over a period of more than a year. The offences, which involved a very young child, spanned from August 2017 to September 2018, during which Clench engaged in a pattern of predatory and manipulative behavior aimed at a vulnerable victim.

Clench, who was residing in Northallerton at the time, faced multiple charges including the rape of a child under the age of 13, assaulting a child under 13, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Throughout the legal proceedings, he consistently denied all allegations, maintaining his innocence despite overwhelming evidence and the testimony presented during the trial.

The case was brought before Teesside Crown Court, where the jury found Clench guilty of all three charges. The timeline of his abusive conduct began in August 2017, shortly after he moved to the Northallerton area, and continued until September 2018, when the victim, demonstrating remarkable bravery, reported the offences to the police. This report led to a thorough investigation, which ultimately resulted in Clench’s arrest and subsequent trial.

Following the verdict, Clench was remanded into custody and appeared before Middlesbrough Crown Court for sentencing. Judge Paul Watson QC delivered a stern judgment, sentencing Clench to 15 years in prison for his heinous crimes. In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his contact with children and ordered that Clench be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and the bravery of victims in coming forward to seek justice. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences faced by those who commit such predatory acts against children, and it highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the judiciary to combat child abuse in the regions of Harrogate and Northallerton.