RUSSELL HOWARD-TRICKER SENTENCED IN COLCHESTER FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES AT BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

A man with a disturbing history of child sexual offences, Russell Howard-Tricker, was recently apprehended at Birmingham Airport and subsequently sentenced to 14 years in prison. The charges stem from heinous acts committed decades ago, with the court hearing evidence of his abuse against two teenage boys during the 1960s and 1970s.

Howard-Tricker, who is now 77 years old, was originally based in Colchester at the time he committed these crimes. However, by the time of his arrest in December 2018, he was residing in Prague. The case came to light after one of his victims reported being groomed and assaulted by him in September 2017, sparking a police investigation that uncovered further disturbing details.

During the course of the investigation, another individual came forward, revealing that he too had been subjected to indecent assault by Howard-Tricker. The revelations painted a picture of a man who had exploited his position of trust as a teacher and scout leader to prey on vulnerable teenagers.

In court, Howard-Tricker admitted to two counts of indecent assault but denied additional charges, including one count of buggery and another of indecent assault against the first victim. After a jury deliberated, he was found guilty of all charges on August 13. The verdict marked a significant moment of justice for the victims, who had endured years of trauma.

Following his sentencing, one of the victims shared his emotional journey, stating: "I was groomed and sexually abused from the age of 13. In the years since, I have felt shame, self-doubt, isolation, and depression. Seeing other cases in the media finally encouraged me to face my past and seek help, which led to this successful prosecution. This has given me a sense of closure. I am grateful that a dangerous paedophile has been prevented from harming others in the way he harmed me."

The second victim also spoke out about the long-lasting effects of the abuse, revealing that his dependency on alcohol persisted for decades. "I would drink up to ten pints a day at the worst points, and my addiction led to a drink-driving conviction, the loss of my job, and ultimately, my first wife leaving me," he explained.

Detective Constable Rachel Evemy, who led the investigation, praised the bravery of the victims in coming forward. She emphasized the importance of justice, saying: "He was someone they trusted and who had a duty of care for them, and he abused that trust in the most horrendous way. This case highlights the long-lasting impact that child sexual abuse has on its survivors but also demonstrates that justice can still be achieved."