A paedophile who abused a girl in Huntingdonshire told her that it would "help his mental health" if she did what he wanted.

Lee Rider, 48, targeted a girl in the area for five years. His offending came to light after the girl confided in someone she trusted that Rider had been sexually abusing her.

The victim told Cambridgeshire Police officers that Rider had abused her, forced her to perform sexual acts on him, and had filmed some of the sex abuse.

She said that Rider told her it would "help his mental health" if she did what he wanted and that he would buy her things, which worried her because she knew it meant she would have to do "something for him" in return. 

The force were called on January 11 2023 and Rider was arrested. He was interviewed twice by police but provided statements denying the allegations, and answered "no comment" to all further questions.

Rider, of Oak Crescent, Biggleswade, was later charged with a total of 12 offences:

  • Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
  • Two counts of raping a child under 13
  • One count of attempting to rape a child under 13
  • One count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
  • Two counts of sexually assaulting a child over the age of 13
  • One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
  • One count of taking indecent images of children
  • Two counts of making indecent images of children

He pleaded guilty to all offences on the day his trial was due to begin earlier this year, and was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (November 8) where he was jailed for 13 years.

A restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to monitor future offending, were both made indefinitely.

Sentencing, Judge Matthew Lowe told Rider he had prioritised his own sexual gratification over his victim and his frequent and persistent abuse had "torn lives apart".

He added the impact of the sexual abuse had been devastating to the girl, and "will be long lasting if not permanent".

Judge Lowe said when Rider was interviewed he didn’t just deny the allegations but said the victim was lying, and suggested why. He addressed Rider when he added, "there was only one liar, you."

Det Sgt Mark Williamson, who investigated, said: "Rider betrayed his victim’s trust in the worst possible way and his sexual abuse, spanning years, was nothing short of horrific.

"Something important to highlight is how the victim said she was fearful she wouldn’t be believed because she didn’t have any evidence to support what had happened to her.

"However, by coming forward and explaining what happened, she provided key evidence which allowed us to bring Rider to justice.

 "Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we have specially trained officers who are there to support victims.

"We are pleased Rider has now been brought to justice and we hope the sentence gives his victim and her family some closure from this traumatic period in their lives."