Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Friday 7th February 2025, at 11:20hrs
His grooming of his young victim began when the victim attended public swimming sessions at the now defunct St James’ Baths in Doncaster around 1984.
A Doncaster rape victim has expressed her “true gratitude” for a detective sergeant, officers and staff involved in a lengthy historic sexual abuse investigation after her “sadistic” and “evil” attacker was jailed for 22 years earlier today (6 February).
Ricky Bellion subjected his young victim to horrific acts of sexual abuse over a seven-year period in the 1980s and 1990s, with his sickening crimes against her beginning when she was just 10 years old.
After bravely telling police of Bellion’s crimes in 2019, an investigation was launched, which has now culminated in the 60-year-old being imprisoned for more than two decades.
In a written letter to Detective Sergeant Joanna Vine, who worked on the case for a number of years alongside now retired DC Janine Innes, the victim wrote:
“I want to express the most extensive level of personal gratitude first for of all, to you, for all the hard work that you have put into my case from the outset.
“It’s taken great effort, determination and insistence to get this far. Words will never thank you enough for all the effort this has taken professionally and for all the extra input needed, where it has required the ‘above and beyond’ efforts to ensure this case reached its conclusion.
“The journey to get to reach this day has been very hard, and at times I had lost the determination and strength to see this through.
“Something in me, however, had that endurance to keep on going, and to not be flattened by lengthy delays and complications. The determination and inner strength have got me to where I am now.
“I will never ever forget, each and every person and the organisations who have supported me along the way in this process.”
Bellion’s grooming of his young victim began when the victim attended public swimming sessions at the now defunct St James’ Baths in Doncaster around 1984.
The victim was then manipulated over time, which led to the extensive and frequent indecent assaults and prolonged sexual abuse for many years following this.
She labelled Bellion as “sadistic” and “evil” and said that her quest for justice has “unmuted” her voice and “increased my confidence beyond my own expectations or predictions”.
She added: “The shame and secrecy the crimes made me have, are slowly being lifted. It has been like a like a horrid lead weight on me, that has been crushing my inner soul and mind over the years.
“To finally get justice, is beyond any words or feelings that I can ever attempt to describe or express.
“The audacity of him to remain acting like an innocent man from the very start of this case, has been insulting, when all along, there were never any doubts about the truth.”
A further victim also came forward in 2019. This resulted in Bellion being charged with a total of nine counts of sexual abuse, including multiple counts of rape and indecent assault.
Rather than admit his guilt, he denied any criminality, resulting in an 11-day trial at Sheffield Crown Court in November 2024.
Bellion, of Washington Road, Sheffield, was found guilty of all counts on 25 November and had been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing at the same court today (6 February).
Speaking after today’s sentencing, DS Vine said:
“Both victims deserve enormous credit for reporting Bellion’s crimes to police, and I hope this case goes to show that it does not matter how long ago it happened – we will always strive for justice.
“This was a very lengthy and complex investigation, and I am pleased Bellion has been given a significant custodial sentence.
“Please remember it is never too late to report a sexual offence. If you have been a victim or you know someone who has been a victim of this crime, please know that we are here to listen to you and support you through every step of the process.”
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