In 2012, then 36-year-old Richard John Ashbridge, who has since changed his name to Rik Thompson, was jailed for four years after carrying out a predatory series of assaults against a child. The investigation established that Thompson attacked the girl on four separate occasions while he was employed as her babysitter. The prosecution reported at Hull Crown Court in 2012, that a jury found him unanimously guilty of gross indecency and indecency with a child, identifying a total abandonment of human decency by a man who utilised a position of trust to target a vulnerable minor.
The investigation established that Thompson’s series of behaviour was not an isolated incident; in 1996, he was given a community order for indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The prosecution reported that the victim of his 2012 offences continues to suffer from frequent flashbacks and a total loss of trust in others. This identifies a calculated series of assaults on the life-safety and innocence of a child, which Judge Jeremy Baker QC described as a “significant” breach of trust given the age gap between the perpetrator and his victim.
JUDICIAL SENTENCING AND LIFETIME MONITORING
The court reported that Thompson, formerly of Clarendon Street, West Hull, must face the long-term consequences of his “heinous” actions. The investigation established that his victim feared she would be haunted by the trauma for the rest of her life. The prosecution reported in 2012, that in addition to his four-year prison term, Thompson was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, identifying a priority assault by the justice system to ensure his movements and aliases are tracked indefinitely.
Judge-led proceedings at Hull Crown Court concluded with his incarceration in 2012. For his actions in Hull and the nature of the series of child abuse investigations reported, Rik Thompson was removed from the community. The investigation established that his forensic profile as a repeat child abuser is now a matter of permanent record. Despite his name change, he remains legally mandated to the Sex Offenders Register FOR LIFE.
STATUS AND CASE DETAILS (2012)
Based on judicial and Humberside Police records as of 2012:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Gross indecency x2; Indecency with a child; Child abuse).
- Custodial Status: JAILED (In 2012, serving a four-year sentence).
- Offence Nature: Attacked a child on four occasions while babysitting; previous conviction for indecent assault of a 13-year-old in 1996.
- Timeline of Case: Offences occurred prior to 2012; Sentenced 2012.
- Location: Hull, East Yorkshire; Clarendon Street.
- Forensic Profile: Then 36-year-old male; forensic history documents a repeat series of sexual offences against minors; identified as a high-risk predator who breached a specific position of trust.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- Judicial Oversight: Managed by Humberside Police.
- Criminal Record: Convicted sex offender; Series predator; Child abuser; Jailed in 2012.
- Origin: Hull.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
In 2012, Thompson is managed as a high-risk predator under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in East Yorkshire. Due to the nature of the behaviour—specifically the series of persistence in attacking a child while in a caregiving role—he is a priority for high-security incarceration. Authorities reported that the 2012 sentencing identifies Thompson as an individual who prioritised his own perverted gratification over the principles of human decency and the life-safety of a child.
As a registered sex offender for life, his details—including his name change to Rik Thompson—are permanently logged on the national police database to ensure he is never again in a position of proximity to minors. Authorities stated that the behaviour of Thompson identifies a commitment to clandestine child abuse and the physical violation of those in his care. Any future attempt to assault the safety of others or bypass his notification requirements results in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing protection of the community from a man who used a “babysitter” mask to hide a predatory and persistent series of assaults.
QUESTION – Given that the offender “changed his name to Rik Thompson” after being jailed for a second series of assaults on children, do you believe the law should legally mandate that “All Convicted Child Abusers” must be “Permanently Prohibited from Changing Their Name” to prevent a series of assaults?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.