Clacton: Officer praises brave victim as serial rapist jailed for 17 years

Officers in our Child Abuse Investigation Team have praised the ‘incredible bravery’ of a woman who was subject to 17 years of sexual abuse by Ricky Cutts.

The woman, who is entitled to lifelong anonymity, first spoke to police in June 2025 and disclosed the sexual abuse Cutts had carried out since 2009, when she was still a child.

Officers in our Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) worked with the woman carefully and considerately through her interviews, where she set out a consistent pattern of sexual and physical abuse over more than a decade.

Ensuring safeguards were in place for the victim, CAIT arrested 37-year-old Cutts, of Marine Parade East in Clacton, and charged him with eight counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault on 18 June 2025.

He was remanded in custody and initially pleaded not guilty, but upon realising the strength of the case against him he admitted he was responsible in November last year.

At a Chelmsford Crown Court hearing on Tuesday 10 March 2026 he was sentenced to 17 years in prison, with a further five years on extended licence, as well as a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, being added to the Sex Offenders Register for life and being barred from ever working with children again.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Katie Knight of CAIT said:

“I want the woman at the heart of this case to know how incredibly brave she was to speak to us.
“Disclosing this kind of abuse may be the most difficult thing a person ever does. To have faced it for almost two decades would have made this unimaginably hard, but she still spoke to us.
“It’s a privilege to be trusted by victims of crime in this way, and I’d encourage anyone, child or adult, who feels they may have been the victim of abuse to speak to us.
“It may be difficult but you will be listened to and you will be supported.”

DC Knight added:

“Cutts’ crimes were heinous, violent and always brought with the threat of further assault if his victim tried to get help.
“His abuse was vile. He preyed on and controlled this woman with a shocking campaign of sexual violence, and a long custodial sentence was the only option left before His Honour Judge Daniel Sawyer to keep the public safe.”

The woman in this case said:

“I learnt not to be afraid anymore. When I spoke up, I was believed.
“If there is anyone who is a victim of this abuse, you are stronger than you think you are, and you don’t have to suffer anymore.”

Synergy Essex offers free, confidential help to anyone in Essex affected by rape, sexual abuse, or sexual violence - whether it happened recently or in the past.

It’s made up of three expert services:

• Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse
• Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service
• Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis

You don’t need to report anything to the police to get support. You can contact Synergy Essex directly, or ask someone you trust, like a friend, family member or professional, to refer you.

Support is available for all ages and includes:

• Counselling (in person, online or by phone).
• Emotional and practical help.
• Guidance from Independent Sexual Violence Advisers if you choose to report the crime.

Their First Contact team can talk you through your options and help you get started.

Find out more on the Synergy Essex website.