Essex mum describes moment her child 'jumped for joy and danced around the school playground' after their sexual abuser was jailed
The man who committed the offences was jailed for 15 years
The mum of a young child who was sexually abused in Essex has spoken out after the man who committed the offences was jailed for 15 years.
Ricky Williams, of Grove Avenue, Walton-on-the-Naze, had denied rape, three counts of sexually abusing a child and three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
But the jury did not believe him, and in April he was found guilty on six counts after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.
He was found not guilty on one count of sexual abuse.
And at the same court on Wednesday 18 June the 37-year-old was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to serve a further five years on extended licence.
He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.
The offending had taken place over a 10-month period between 2022 and 2023.
The child's mother said:
“The last two and a half years have been like a horror movie. We are trying to move forward with our lives and getting justice is certainly a positive step in the right direction.
“No child should ever go through what my child did. I will always blame myself; I think that’s a mum thing.
“But listening to the judge, the police and counsellors I’m beginning to accept that it wasn’t my fault and the only person responsible is my child’s abuser.”
“Hearing my child say those words to me is the most traumatic thing I have ever experienced in my life.
“I had recently spoken to them about how no-one else is allowed to touch the private parts of their body.
“They remembered what I said and were able to alert me to what had been happening.
“That’s one message I would want to get across to parents of young children. Talk to them about their bodies and where people shouldn’t touch them. Also talk to them about secrets and that they should never be asked to keep one.
“These abusers hide in the shadows. I never thought this could happen to me or my child. We need to empower our children with good communication and support.
“What happened was awful, but my child is having play therapy to help navigate through their feelings and emotions.
“I am relieved they could tell me what happened. They haven’t had to carry a burden or secret into adulthood.
“When I told them about the prison sentence they jumped for joy and danced around the school playground. I think they felt safer.
“This will never leave us, but we are taking steps to rebuild our lives.
“I’ve had amazing support from my friends and family. And I’m looking after myself so I can continue to support my child.
“This has been hanging over our heads for more than two years, which is tough and at times I did not believe we would get justice.
“I’m also really grateful to the officers at Essex Police who investigated this and stayed committed to bringing him before the courts.”
Investigating officer Detective Constable Zoe Waddup said: “Firstly I want to pay tribute to the survivor and their mum.
“They have shown amazing resilience and strength during this particularly difficult investigation and subsequent trial.
“Williams put them through additional trauma by denying his crimes, but the jury saw through his lies and convicted him.
“He poses a real danger to children and he is now rightly serving a long prison sentence.
“At Essex Police we are committed to protecting children and will fully investigate all reports of sexual abuse made to us. I also want to thank the two independent sexual violence advisors who supported the mum and her child through the investigation and court case.
“Their work is invaluable.”