A Biggleswade paedophile, Lee Rider, who sexually molested a girl and recorded portions of the abuse has been sentenced to over ten years in prison.
Lee Rider, 48, perpetrated abuse over a five-year period, which was revealed only when the victim disclosed the incidents to a trusted individual.
Law enforcement was summoned on 11 January of the previous year, resulting in Lee Rider’s arrest. The girl informed investigators that Lee Rider sexually assaulted her and compelled her to engage in sexual actions with him. He had also documented some of the abuse.
She stated that Lee Rider informed her it would “benefit his mental health” if she complied with his desires, and he would also purchase items for her, which concerned her as she recognised it implied she would be obligated to reciprocate in some kind.
Rider was interrogated by law enforcement on two occasions, during which he issued premeditated comments refuting the accusations and responded with “no comment” to any subsequent enquiries.
However Lee Rider, of Oak Crescent, Biggleswade, was later charged with a total of 12 offences including:
- Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
- Two counts of raping a child under 13
- One count of attempting to rape a child under 13
- One count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
- Two counts of sexually assaulting a child over the age of 13
- One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- One count of taking indecent images of children
- Two counts of making indecent images of children
He pleaded guilty to all offences on the day his trial was due to begin earlier this year, and was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (8 November) where he was handed a total of 13 years in prison.
A restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to monitor future offending, were both made indefinitely.
Sentencing, Judge Matthew Lowe told Lee Rider he had prioritised his own sexual gratification over his victim and his frequent and persistent abuse had “torn lives apart”.
He added the impact of the sexual abuse had been devastating to the girl, and “will be long lasting if not permanent”.
Judge Lowe said when Lee Rider was interviewed he didn’t just deny the allegations but said the victim was lying, and suggested why. He addressed Rider when he added, “there was only one liar, you.”
Peterborough Crown Court
Det Sgt Mark Williamson, who investigated, said: “Rider betrayed his victim’s trust in the worst possible way and his sexual abuse, spanning years, was nothing short of horrific.
“Something important to highlight is how the victim said she was fearful she wouldn’t be believed because she didn’t have any evidence to support what had happened to her. However, by coming forward and explaining what happened, she provided key evidence which allowed us to bring Rider to justice.
“Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we have specially trained officers who are there to support victims.
“We are pleased Lee Rider has now been brought to justice and we hope the sentence gives his victim and her family some closure from this traumatic period in their lives.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.