Ricky Champ

Ricky Champ, a 40-year-old man from Braintree in Essex, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court for committing serious sexual offences against a child. The crimes occurred in north Essex between September and October 2025, involving three counts of sexual assault on a child. Champ appeared in court in November 2025 and admitted to the charges, leading to his sentencing on 28 January 2026.

The court imposed a total sentence of seven years and ten months' imprisonment on Champ. In addition to the custodial term, he was made subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order, designed to protect the public from further offending upon his release. Champ will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring by authorities. The case was investigated by Essex Police's child abuse investigation team, with Detective Constable Katie Knight highlighting the rapid progression from the initial report in October 2025 to sentencing within four months.

The victim's mother spoke publicly after the sentencing, expressing gratitude for the support received from Essex Police and the court. She described the ordeal as 'every parent’s worst nightmare' and praised the officers involved, including DC Katie Knight, Hayley Green, and Sarah Woollett, as well as her Independent Sexual Violence Advisor, Clare. 'The officers and everyone who has supported us have all been incredible – so sympathetic, so helpful. Without all of them, I would have crumbled by now,' she stated. She noted Champ's lack of remorse, describing his demeanour as smug, and emphasised that while the sentence provided some relief, it did not erase the trauma inflicted on her family.

DC Katie Knight commended the bravery of the victim and her mother, stating, 'The bravery of our victim and her mother has been truly humbling. The impact of Champ’s offending is not lost on me, yet they have consistently handled themselves with poise and dignity.' The sentencing coincided with Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week in the UK, a national initiative to raise awareness about such crimes and support survivors. Essex Police's involvement underscores their commitment to swiftly addressing child sexual abuse cases within the region.