HIV-positive paedophile prison officer who raped young child jailed for 22 years

06 November 2023 , 20:17

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Martin Richards was labelled a 'dangerous paedophile' and jailed for 22 years (Image: Northumbria Police)

A HIV-positive prison officer who raped a young girl despite knowing he had the life-threatening virus has been jailed for 22 years.

Martin Richards left his victim facing blood tests and taking tablets as she waited to see if she had been infected. The 50-year-old paedophile left the youngster ‘so distressed’ with much of her childhood ‘stolen’ after his horrific sex attacks.

Richards, of Windsor Terrace, Northumberland, put his head in his hands as he was given the lengthy sentence at Newcastle Crown Court. The victim’s mum branded the cruel sex offender as ‘calculating and manipulative’ and said: "He is a dangerous paedophile who has no place in society. From today we hope to move forward with the knowledge he will be in prison for a very long time."

She added: “The impact of the crimes he committed has been profound. Until we could be sure she didn't have HIV she had to take several tablets. She would get so distressed when taking them she would be sick. I've struggled to come to terms with what happened. Her confidence is drained and she's particularly nervous around unknown males. We are devastated for her and what she's been through. We can only hope she can start to heal and start to trust again. He has stolen so much of her childhood."

Richards, who has 33 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault on a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act and attempting to pervert the course of justice by sending the victim's family letters trying to get the charges dropped, reports Chronicle Live. He was convicted by a jury of offences of rape, sexual assault and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

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Judge Gavin Doig jailed him for a total of 22 years, of which he must serve two-thirds behind bars. He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order and must sign the sex offenders register for life. Referring to Richards' HIV, Doig said: "That didn't stop him committing sexual offences. This was sickening behaviour on behalf of the defendant. It's of great good fortune the infection was not passed to her but he took the risk it could be."

Rob Kennedy