Stafford man jailed for 15 years for child sex offences
33-year-old Richard Griffiths pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences
A man has been jailed for more than 15 years after admitting multiple child sexual offences.
Richard Griffiths, 33, from Stafford, was sentenced to 15 years and three months imprisonment at Stafford Crown Court on 15 February. He pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences at a hearing in December 2023.
He admitted four counts of raping a girl under 13, two counts of cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13.
He also pleaded guilty to sexual penetration by a person with a living animal.
Griffiths was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The allegations against Griffiths were reported to us in November 2023 and our Child Protection and Exploitation Team launched an investigation.
The Judge told Griffiths that he finds him to be highly dangerous. He also commended the victim’s mother for the dignified manner in which she read out her victim impact statement in which she detailed the devastating effects the offences are still having on the victim.
Detective Sergeant Sophie Boden, of our Child Protection and Exploitation Team, said: “I would like to commend the immense bravery and courage of the victim and her mother, both who have shown great strength when providing evidence in this case.
“We are glad the sentence passed by the court reflects the suffering they have endured as a result of Griffiths’ abhorrent action. Griffiths is truly a dangerous man who has now been brought to justice, and as a result the wider community is now protected from him.
“I would like to thank the investigating officer, DC Hayley Cave, and all of the officers and staff who have worked tirelessly to bring this particularly distressing case before the court. We will always remain committed to bringing offenders like Griffiths to justice.”