Edward Riley

Edward Riley, a 56-year-old man from Pitway, South Petherton in Somerset, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a series of sexual offences committed against children in Kidderminster between 1982 and 1986.

Riley appeared at Worcester Crown Court on 14 March for sentencing, following his conviction in February. He was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14, two counts of indecent assault against a boy under the age of 14, and two counts of inciting a boy under the age of 14 to commit an act of gross indecency. These offences, which took place over four years in the Kidderminster area, involved serious sexual abuse of young victims.

The case was investigated by West Mercia Police, who emphasised their commitment to pursuing historical sex offences. Detective Constable Sally Sliwinska, from the force, stated: 'This case exemplifies how seriously West Mercia Police take sex offences, no matter how long ago they were committed. We would like to commend the victims in this case for their bravery throughout the process, and hope that today’s result brings some justice. We will continue to crack down on predators like Riley, who cause unimaginable harm to children.' The investigation highlights the ongoing efforts to deliver justice for victims of child sexual abuse, even decades after the events occurred.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Riley has been placed on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring long-term monitoring to protect the public. The court proceedings underscore the gravity of the charges and the impact on the victims, who demonstrated significant courage in coming forward.