Report of safeguarding concern led to sexual offences conviction

A police investigation following safeguarding concerns raised in relation to a young girl has led to the conviction of a man for child sexual offences.

Police received an anonymous report in 2022 in relation to the teenage girl and reporting that Ricky Hambrook had engaged in sexual activity with the girl who was under 16 years old.

Officers assessed the report and an investigation was launched.

Officers spoke with the girl who did not want to assist officers and did not identify herself as a victim. However, due to safeguarding concerns which investigating officers had, a decision was made to arrest and interview Hambrook.

The investigation continued leading to Hambrook, 38, of Kings Road, Melton Mowbray, being charged in January this year. At Leicester Crown Court in March this year, he pleaded guilty to four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Today (Tuesday), at the same court, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Hambrook was also ordered to attend an accredited sexual offenders group programme and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a period of 10 years.

He will also be on the sex offenders’ register for a period of 10 years.

Detective Constable Kamran Kalia said: ““If you are the victim of a sexual offence, or you have safeguarding concerns in relation to a child, please know that you can report this to us. We will act on your report and we will provide advice, support and guidance where we can while we investigate.

“In this investigation in relation to Hambrook, our safeguarding concerns in relation to the girl involved meant that we knew we had to proceed to investigate. The fact of the matter is that it is illegal to engage in sexual activity with any person under 16. It is extremely difficult when a victim chooses not to assist an investigation of this kind and while we continued to try to engage with and provide support to the victim, we also of course respected her views as well and that ultimately it is her decision.

“We have continued to engage and be supported by the girl’s mum throughout the investigation which we are extremely grateful for. This, along with the open and honest accounts from other witnesses meant that we were able to highlight this criminal offence and bring it before the courts. My thanks go to all those who have helped support this.

“More information can be found at  https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/