Face of 'dangerous predator' who claimed sexual abuse was 'innocent massage' - Essex Live

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A 'dangerous' sexual predator who claimed his abuse was an 'innocent massage' has been jailed for three and a half years. Matthew Rattenbury, 42, was locked up for sexually assaulting a child.

He denied the charge when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court but the jury did not believe his defence that it was a massage. He was convicted after a three-day trial.

Rattenbury, of High Street, Northchurch in Hertfordshire, had been filmed carrying out the assault by an eye-witness. He was jailed at Basildon Crown Court for three and a half years with a requirement to serve half his sentence in custody and half on licence.

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He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and given a life-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Detective Constable Jane Grieve from Essex Police praised the witness' crucial evidence.

DC Grieve said: "This eyewitness saw some behaviour which they instinctively recognised as inappropriate, and they had the foresight to record the crime in action. This meant we could build a case and secure a conviction.

"This evidence-led prosecution demonstrates our commitment to catching people intent on causing children harm and ensuring they are brought before the courts. In this case we did not have evidence from the victim, but this did not stop us from ensuring justice.

"By making the decision to film what she saw happening and sharing it with us, we now have a man who sexually abused a child behind bars."

They added: "I hope this case provides confidence to anyone who is being abused or is worried about someone else that the police are here for you. We would encourage anyone who has been affected by child sexual abuse to contact police, but please be reassured that there are other services available that can offer specialist support."