Raymond Tether

Raymond Tether, a 74-year-old man from Hull, was jailed for 13 years at Hull Crown Court after being convicted of serious sexual offences against two young girls. The court heard that Tether, who had a history of child sexual exploitation, engaged in indecent assault and sexual activity with the victims, demonstrating a clear sexual interest in children.

Prosecutor David Godfrey described Tether as a 'manipulative nightmare' who 'fancies children' and viewed them in a 'much more sinister way' than he admitted. Tether denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury following an eight-day trial in July. He was cleared of two other offences and one charge was dismissed by the judge. During the trial, Tether refused to give evidence, with Godfrey labelling him a 'coward' for avoiding accountability.

This conviction followed a previous offence in October 2020, when Tether was spared immediate custody for making thousands of indecent images of children. That case involved 159 Category A images, including the rape of a three- or four-year-old girl and images of a six-month-old baby, along with 291 Category B images, 1,718 Category C images, 546 prohibited images including cartoons, and extreme pornographic material. He received a 14-month suspended sentence and 25 days' rehabilitation at the time.

At sentencing, Judge Tahir Khan KC highlighted the 'psychological harm' caused to the girls, describing the offences as 'gravely serious'. Tether, formerly of High Street, Hull, was remanded in custody after conviction and will register as a sex offender for life. Mitigating, Rachel Scott noted Tether's completion of rehabilitation courses in custody and his deteriorating health, but the severity of the crimes led to the substantial custodial term.

• Offences: Indecent assault and sexual activity with a child.
• Victims: Two girls.
• Prior conviction: Making indecent images of children in 2018.
• Sentence: 13 years imprisonment.