‘Predatory’ Nottinghamshire peadophile jailed

A ‘devious and predatory’ sex offender who repeatedly raped young girls has been jailed.

Richard Stocks, now aged 55, assaulted the young girls repeatedly, instructing each of them to remain silent about what had happened.

His offending was finally exposed when one of the girls reported what had happened to her mother in July 2021.

Nottinghamshire Police were called and an investigation was launched.

Each of the girls provided compelling testimonies about Stocks’ behaviour and his distinctive physical characteristics.

Stocks, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, was further exposed by damming medical evidence.

After repeatedly denying what he had done, Stocks later pleaded guilty to 12 counts of rape, one of attempted rape, two of sexual assault and two of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court today (Tuesday) he was jailed for 27 years and ordered to serve another year on extended license. He will have to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before he can be considered for parole. He was also added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Detective Constable Kerry Stringfellow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Stocks is a devious and predatory sex offender who repeatedly preyed on young children.

“The nature of his offending was utterly horrific and has unsurprisingly had a very significant impact on his victims.

“As Stocks prepares to spend much of the rest of his life in prison, my thoughts are very much with his victims today.

“But for their bravery in coming forward and telling us about what had happened, Stocks would have remained a danger to any children he came into contact with.

“Investigations of this type are difficult and upsetting to work on, but nothing is more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of children.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in bringing this man to justice and hope this case serves to encourage other victims to come forward.”