A Leighton Buzzard baby-sitter who sexually abused the eight-year-old girl he was supposed to be looking after was on Friday, September 30, 2022, jailed for seven years.
Robert Riley, 50, woke the girl at one o’clock in the morning and carried out the attack. Two years later in January 2016, when she was aged 10, her mother noticed she was upset.
The girl said she could not tell her what was wrong and texted her instead. Prosecutor Michael Hillman said Riley was arrested.
He denied the assault when questioned by the police, but made no comment to their questions. When his computer was examined, officers found 153 indecent images of children at Category A, the most serious level.
There were 1,407 at Category B and 2,948 at Category C. There was also one image of extreme pornography showing a woman having sex with a dog.
In a victim personal statement the girl, who is now aged 17, said: “I kept it quiet for so long because I didn’t think anyone would believe me. “I felt somehow it could have been my fault. I know now nothing that happened was my fault.”
Riley, of Copia Crescent, Leighton Buzzard, was convicted after a trial of sexual assault of a child under 13 by penetration between June and December 2013.
He had pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing indecent images of children and one of extreme pornography.
Claire Langevad, defending, said: “Despite being arrested and interviewed in 2016, for no apparent reason he was not charged until five years later in 2021.
“Prior to these offences he was of previous good character.” She said Riley, who still denies assaulting the girl, had not committed any other offences.
At Luton Crown Court today, Judge Lynn Tayton KC sentenced him to seven years in jail with a licence extension of one year. It means he can be recalled to prison, after his release, at any time within the next eight years.
The judge told him: “She (the victim) feels the offence ruined her as a person. She suffered severe psychological effects.”
Riley’s computers were seized and he must register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was also barred from contacting the victim.
