By Grâçia Ada Obi
A man has been jailed after he “orchestrated a campaign of rape” spanning three decades by raping two young girls more than 110 times. Ronald Richards, now aged 66, only saw his crimes come to light when one of the victims broke down in tears several years ago. Now, he is to spend the remaining 25 years of his life in jail.
The harrowing details of Richards’ behaviour were read out at Swansea Crown Court, United Kingdom (UK), on Tuesday 11 March. His first victim was under 13 when she was raped by Richards on “at least 60 occasions.” She was also raped more than once at a later date when she was under 16.
His second victim was raped on “at least 50 occasions” when she was under 13. Both victims were present in court and stood in the witness stand to describe the horrific details of their respective ordeals. Prosecution barrister Ian Wright said the defendant, of Tydraw Street, Port Talbot, “orchestrated a campaign of rape over a period of more than 20 years.”
One of the victims told the court: “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t feel anxious or have a feeling of dread in my stomach. I had completely given up hope and was just trying to cope as best as I could. I moved away from my home town in an attempt to feel safe. I did not talk to anybody about my struggles and the pain I was going through. I had to pretend that everything was OK and that I was OK. I have never really been able to be myself.”
The victim added that she would still endure flashbacks of the abuse. “As a child, instead of having a carefree life I was contemplating taking my own life. There were days when I did not want to get out of bed. I keep telling myself that I am not to blame and that he is. He is responsible for what he has done. He stole my childhood and my innocence.”
The second victim also spoke in court. She said: “I don’t actually know how to feel. I have blocked out so much. I feel very confused. I did not understand what he was doing. I felt like I had to do whatever he said. I did my best to block it out but it kept happening. I did not know how to make it stop. The most painful thing for me is looking at old photos of myself from before this happened.”
In mitigation defence barrister Ieuan Rees said his client is now “not in the best of health” due to diabetes and failing eyesight. Mr Rees said: “He realises that the sentence passed today is likely to mean that he will serve the rest of his life in custody. Nothing that I can say can mitigate the severity of what he has been convicted of.”
Richards appeared to be sentenced on Tuesday 11 March, having been found guilty of 14 charges in total following a trial in January this year. He was convicted of seven counts of rape of a female child under the age of 13, two counts of rape of a child under the age of 16, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, indecency with a child under 14, indecent assault of a child under 14 and indecent assault of a child under 10.
Passing sentence Judge Geraint Walters told Richards that he “systematically abused two young children in an unspeakable way”. He added that “the scars of such abuse are lifelong”.
Richards was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison made up of 24 years of a determinate sentence, extended by one year due to him being an “offender of particular concern.” Richards was told he must serve two-thirds of his sentence before he is considered for parole. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register and be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for life. Lifelong restraining orders were also made prohibiting Richards from making contact with either of his victims ever again.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Joanne Williams of South Wales Police said: “We commend the victims for their bravery in coming forward about Ronald Richards’ actions. To have been subjected to this level of abuse from such a young age is sickening. The victims will have to carry these memories for the rest of their lives. Ronald Richards is a very dangerous man who preyed upon defenceless children of a very young age. The level and frequency of his offending was staggering. It is right that he should go to prison for a significant amount of time.”
