Kent Police has reported a decades-long reign of terror has ended for a child victim after Margate resident Stephen Rilley, 63, was finally brought to justice and sentenced to 19 years in prison for a horrific series of sexual abuse offences.
The brutal details, uncovered during a recent Kent Police investigation, revealed Rilley used systematic coercion, drug use, and violent threats to silence and maintain absolute control over the victim for nearly twenty years, with the abuse beginning as far back as the early 2000s.
&w=1024&h=370&scale=both&mode=max)
The shocking truth finally emerged in January 2025, when the survivor bravely stepped forward to file a report, shattering the wall of silence Rilley had enforced for two decades. Investigating officers learned the 63-year-old predator had regularly administered sleeping tablets in a calculated effort to incapacitate the victim and prevent disclosure. Rilley’s leverage, built on a foundation of fear and intimidation, crumbled quickly. He was ultimately compelled to plead guilty in August 2025 to 11 horrific charges, including multiple counts of rape.
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, Rilley received a 19-year custodial sentence. Under the terms of an extended sentence, he will serve an additional three years on licence following his release, and will remain on the sex offenders register for life. This case highlights the extreme lengths predators will go to hide their crimes and underscores the critical importance of a victim’s courage in exposing long-hidden abuse.
Detective Constable Chris Radley said: ‘This sentence reflects the gravity of the offences committed and the extent of the suffering endured by the victim over many years. I am pleased that such a depraved man has been brought to justice. I would like to praise the victim for the courage she has shown in not only coming forward, but for her continued involvement in a challenging investigation.’