June 2009

Teenager to spend years in hospital after raping girl, 10, in her own bed

A TEENAGER has been sentenced for raping a 10-year-old girl in her own bed.

Ashley Riley, 19, will spend the next few years at a secure psychiatric hospital after pleading guilty to rape following an incident at a house in Long Eaton.

Riley’s father, Steven, was at the property at the same time, on October 20 last year, but failed to tell anyone about the attack.

Derby Crown Court heard the girl did not tell her parents about the incident, which only came to light later when the girl’s father found out.

Steven Riley, 38, of Granville Avenue, Long Eaton, who appeared in court with his son, of the same address, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and is due to be sentenced later this month.

The court heard it may be “years” until staff at Cheswold Park Hospital, in Doncaster, consider Ashley Riley fit enough to be released back into society.

Earlier in the hearing, Steven Gosnell, representing the victim’s family, read out a victim impact statement from the girl’s mother.

In the statement, the mother said her daughter was now “somewhat different to the daughter she used to be” and often felt angry.

In sentencing Ashley Riley, Judge Hilary Watson told him: “The way you behaved was wholly wrong. You knew when you engaged in sexual relations with her that you shouldn’t have done that.

“You will not be released into the community until there is no risk that you will reoffend.”

Riley was further banned from seeking company from anyone under the age of 16 in the absence of a responsible adult and will also be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.