South Ockendon: Man jailed for 16 years for rape offences

A “dangerous sexual predator” has been jailed for 16 years following the work of our Adult Sexual Abuse Investigation Team.

Ricki Lee, 28 of Coronation Avenue, East Tilbury appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, 7 December where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of three counts of rape.

Lee was subject to separate investigations against two separate victims. In both cases, the victims reported that Lee had entered their bedroom and raped them whilst they slept in their own homes. The offences happened in 2019 and 2020 in South Ockendon and Benfleet.

Lee was charged and in October, following a two-week trial, he was found guilty of three counts of rape. He appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, 7 December where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Karen Miller, one of the investigating officers said: “Results like these are exactly why we do this job. To put perpetrators behind bars and support the most vulnerable of victims.

“The bravery of these two victims to report what Lee did to them has protected other women from a dangerous sexual predator.

“In both these cases, Lee raped the vulnerable women in their own beds and attempted to lie when being interviewed by police.

“The impact of Lee’s crimes is devastating, with one victim moving across the country to try and get a fresh start.

“I hope that the sentence has provided them with some form of relief and that they can move forward.”

Essex Police continues to take all allegations of sexual offences seriously. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, you will be believed and you will be supported.

Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex, Thurrock and Southend.

 

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis).

 

Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.  

 

Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy.  For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.  

 

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website: https://synergyessex.org.uk/