DEAN RICHMOND – DARLINGTON/REDCAR

❌DEAN RICHMOND – DARLINGTON/REDCAR❌

Darlington man jailed after sexually abusing young girl

A Darlington man has been jailed after admitting sexually abusing a young girl in offences described by a judge as having a lifelong impact on the victim.

Dean Richmond, 37, now of Westfield Court, Redcar, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to sexual assault of a child under 13 and engaging in sexual activity with a child under 13.

The court heard Richmond touched the girl around her genital area before forcing her to touch his genitals during an assault that lasted around five minutes. The abuse was interrupted when someone walked in and discovered what was happening.

The offences came to light several years later after the victim disclosed the abuse during a counselling session at school. The court heard the abuse had left her fearful of encountering Richmond and had caused lasting emotional harm.

Prosecutors said Richmond had previous convictions for indecent exposure and outraging public decency.

In mitigation, the court was told Richmond had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had longstanding mental health issues, which his defence said contributed to his misuse of drugs.

Recorder Marco Giuliani sentenced Richmond to four years and six months in prison.

Addressing the defendant, the judge said he had provided “absolutely no explanation” for why he believed it was appropriate to sexually abuse the child, adding that had the assault not been interrupted, “matters may have got significantly further.”

The judge also noted the devastating impact on the victim, saying the abuse had affected her throughout her developmental years, caused significant difficulties at school and left her struggling to trust men.

Richmond was made subject to a 16-year restraining order, a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.