Isleworth Man Jailed for Sexually Grooming Underage Girl

Richard Slater plied his 14-year-old victim with gifts and drugs

A man from Isleworth has been jailed for seven years after grooming a 14-year-old girl and engaging in a sexual relationship with her.

46-year-old Richard Slater of Unwin Road plied his 14-year-old victim with drugs and gifts. As the grooming intensified, Slater - who was fully aware of the girl's age as he knew her family - convinced the girl he was in love with her and in September 2016 their relationship became sexual.

Richard Slater

Around this time the girl was reported missing. She was found, a short time later by police officers in Slater's bedroom. He was arrested but granted police bail with the condition not to contact the victim. The girl was reported missing again the following month. A short time later she was found by police officers outside Slater's house and in November, following a bail check, she was found hiding in an alleyway behind Slater's house.

Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command applied for and were successful in obtaining an Interim Sexual Risk Order against Slater on 24 November 2016 at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court.

However, in January 2017 detectives conducted a surveillance operation and caught Slater on Hounslow Heath with the victim. He was arrested and charged with Child Abduction, Breach of a Sexual Risk Order and possession of cannabis. Slater was further charged, on 28 June with Engaging in Sexual Activity with a Child, Grooming and a further count of Breaching a Sexual Risk Order. He pleaded guilty to all six offences.

He was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 15 September, to seven years and eight months' imprisonment. The court granted a Sexual Harm Prevention Order against Slater and he will now be required to sign on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Thomas Ward of the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command said, "Slater used his position to develop a relationship with an impressionable, vulnerable child and pursue her with the intent of a predatory sex offender. It was only at court that Slater finally accepted responsibility for his actions, having strongly denied the facts from the point of his arrest.

"I would like to praise the strength of the family who have supported this investigation throughout. I can only hope they can now move forward as a result of Slater's conviction.

"Slater is a serious risk to young females and it cannot be discounted that he may have abused other young girls. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of Slater's is urged to contact police via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

September 22, 2017