A MAN has been jailed for 16 years after being convicted of 15 sexual offences involving a girl.

Ricky Anthony Mills, 47, was found guilty on Thursday, August 19, following a nine-day trial at Bournemouth Crown Court of five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, six counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

The offences took place between August 2013 and November 2017.

In police interview, Mills most recently of Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea, and previously East Dorset, denied the allegations and said that he never acted in a sexually inappropriate way with the victim.

Mills sat motionless in the dock at Bournemouth Crown Court as Judge Jonathan Fuller QC handed down the 16-year prison term.

Detective Constable Leigh Topol, of Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT), said: “Firstly, I would like to praise the victim for having the bravery to report these offences and support our investigation throughout.

“While no sentence will ever compensate the victim for what they have been through, I hope that now Mills is jailed this will help her to move forward with her life.

“I also hope that the outcome of this case will give other victims of sexual abuse the confidence to speak to Dorset Police.

“We will thoroughly investigate all reports of this nature and have a dedicated team, which is staffed by experienced and committed detectives that investigate instances of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, and work to bring offenders to justice.”

Reports of child abuse can be made directly to Dorset Police.

For non-urgent reports, or to make an enquiry, go to dorset.police.uk/do-it-online where details of concerns can be filed using the online enquiry form. Reports can also be made by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or calling 101. If anyone believes a child is in immediate danger dial 999.

Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111, while reports can also be made directly to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) www.ceop.police.uk

Local children’s social care services are available at:

  • STARS Dorset starsdorset.org/children-and-young-persons-service and 01202 308858
  • The Shores - Dorset SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) 01202 552 056
  • BCP Council 01202 093131
  • Dorset Council (Children’s Advice and Duty Service) 01305 228866