Rawtenstall 'Trainee Priest' Jailed for Sex Abuse

By Wendy Barlow
Lancashire Telegraph
April 9, 2013

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/10342475.Rawtenstall__trainee_priest___jailed_for_sex_abuse/

ABUSIVE Richard Simcock

ABUSIVE Richard Simcock signals to the media during the trial

A 27-YEAR-OLD man, said by a judge to ‘pose a real risk to children’, has been jailed for 10 years for sexually abusing two girls.

Richard Simcock, who told the authorities he has since studied for the Mormon priesthood, repeatedly tried to rape one frightened victim and committed indecent acts on the other.

He was said to have pinned down the girl he attempted to rape as she tried to stop him.

Simcock also performed sex acts on her, touched her and carried out sex acts on himself, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The defendant, who is now married, claimed he had struck when he was ‘very young and stupid’ but had now changed.

He had been arrested in October 2011 and told police the victims had made false allegations.

Simcock was further questioned in March last year and denied abusing either of the girls. He was later charged over the allegations.

The defendant, of Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, admitted three charges of attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one allegation of penetrative sexual activity with a child.

He was also given a sexual offences prevention order, prohibiting him from having unsupervised contact or communication with any female under 18, was banned from working with children for life and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Lynn Whaites, prosecuting, said when Simcock tried to rape the girl, he told her not to move and just let him do it.

The barrister continued: “She was very frightened.”

The defendant had a criminal record, but nothing for similar offences.

Robert Elias, for Simcock, said the offences were some years ago and since then he had grown up and got married. The barrister continued: “There has already been a bitter price for him to pay.”

Mr Elias went on: “This is a sad day for Richard Simcock. Justice clearly now has to be done. His wife is in court and is standing by him.”

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Gibson told Simcock, who sobbed in the dock: “It’s clear from the victim impact statements that the abuse has had significant long-term effects upon them.

“You took away their innocence and what you did has had lasting and significant consequences for them emotionally.”

The judge said he bore in mind a letter Simcock had written, expressing his remorse and regret, his personal difficulties and ‘the effect this has had upon your wife.’ Judge Gibson told the defendant: “You do pose a real risk to children.”