Ilkeston man given 24-year extended sentence for child sex offences
Content warning: This report contains references to child sexual abuse.
An Ilkeston man has received an extended sentence totalling 24 years after being convicted of sexually abusing three children.
Ralph Fletcher, 35, of Ilkeston, was found guilty of 14 sexual offences against the children following a trial in May.
The offences included rape, assault by penetration and sexual touching.
Ronald Fletcher, 37, of Sutton Coldfield, was convicted during the same trial of two counts of sexual touching involving one of the children.
A third defendant, Zoe Upchurch, 30, of Derby, was found guilty of four counts of child cruelty.
All three defendants were sentenced by His Honour Judge Auty KC at Nottingham Crown Court on 20 August.
Ralph Fletcher received an extended sentence of 24 years, comprising a 20-year custodial term and a further four-year extension period.
Ronald Fletcher was sentenced to five years in prison, while Upchurch received a three-year community order with rehabilitation requirements.
Ralph and Ronald Fletcher were also given lifetime sexual harm prevention orders and must remain on the sex offenders register for life.
All three defendants received lifetime restraining orders relating to the children.
Detective Constable Natalie Fletcher, the officer in the case, thanked the three victims for their courage in speaking about what had happened.
She said: “I want to thank the three victims in this case who have been unbelievably brave in telling us what happened to them.
“This courage, alongside the support of other witnesses, has meant that we have been able to seek justice and ensure that those responsible were held publicly accountable for their despicable crimes.
“The sentence handed to Ralph Fletcher, who was the ringleader of this abuse, is telling of what a dangerous individual he is.
“Nothing can take away the trauma that Ralph and Ronald Fletcher, and Zoe Upchurch inflicted upon the victims, but I hope that they can go on to rebuild their lives in peace.”
Ilkeston News has omitted information that could identify the victims. Victims of sexual offences are legally entitled to anonymity for life.
Comments have been disabled to protect their identities.
Photos: Derbyshire Constabulary
