"Selfish" child rapist handed 15-year sentence for string of offences

Stephen Riley (42), of Denaby Main, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court last Friday (22) after pleading guilty to rape of a child under 13, two counts of inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences were committed in August 2016 against two boys and one girl.

Riley admitted the offences at a hearing in May along with four counts of possession of indecent images, one count of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child and possession of cannabis.

Last Friday, he was ordered to serve 12 years in prison and three years on extended licence.  

Police launched an investigation into Riley last August when he was detained for unrelated matters. His electronic devices, including a camcorder, were seized.

Police found indecent images of children on his camera, some of which were category A  (the most extreme level).

Det Insp Richard Partridge, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “After indecent images and videos were found on the camcorder, an investigation was launched to try and identify the children and locations featured on the images.

“A number of the children were identified and their families spoken to, which led to subsequent offences being disclosed, including the rape of a young child and numerous other sexual offences committed against the same children.

“Despite the extensive evidence gathered against him, Riley continued to deny his guilt and feign innocence about the material found on the devices, until earlier this year when he entered guilty pleas to all counts against him. 

“Riley preyed on young children for his own selfish, sexual gratification; and his actions on that day have had and will continue to have an enormous effect on these young children.

“I’m relieved that Riley’s victims were not forced to recount their ordeals in court during a trial and that he has now been jailed for a significant length of time.

“I hope this can help both the victims and their families to move forward with their lives, knowing that Riley is now behind bars for these despicable crimes.

“South Yorkshire Police is committed to bringing offenders of these abhorrent crimes before the courts to provide justice for victims and I would encourage anyone who has concerns to come forward and talk to us.”