Child sex abuser jailed for almost 19 years

A man who sexually abused three children has been jailed for 18 years and 11 months.

Raymond Utley, of Gainsborough, raped and abused his first victim in Doncaster, Barnsley and Sheffield more than 20 years ago, when she was 14 years old.

The 59-year-old committed further offences against two children between 2021 and 2022.

He was jailed at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday having previously pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including two counts of rape of a female under 16.

He also admitted three counts of indecent assault, taking an indecent photograph of a child, two counts of sexual assault and failure to surrender to police.

Further charges of sexual abuse and rape were ordered to lie on file.

Det Con Mike Tilley of South Yorkshire Police said Utley caused his first victim "psychological turmoil which has haunted her for decades".

"He was even twisted enough to record himself sexually abusing his victim, using a camcorder that he kept in a locked case," he added.

"He then destroyed all evidence of this, but the power of her testimony ensured that he would face justice for crimes committed more than two decades before."

Tilley said police were there to listen and support victims, adding: "You will be believed."

Det Con Joe Wood of Lincolnshire Police, which investigated the more recent offending, said: "Today's sentence reflects the gravity of these offences and sends a clear message that abuse of children will not be tolerated.

"I would like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward and their support throughout the judicial process.

"It is because of their strength that this offender has been held to account."

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