Prolific Basildon child sex offender who abused four girls over 17 years facing lengthy prison spell

A PROLIFIC sex offender is facing a lengthy jail term after he was convicted of 28 offences against four victims.

Matthew Rivett, 43, (above) was charged with multiple counts including rape and assault by penetration against the victims who were children when he abused them between 2002 and 2019 in Pitsea and Canvey Island, Essex.

The abuse came to light when some of the offences were reported to Essex Police in 2020, with further allegations reported the following year.

With each victim, the abuse took place over the course of several years.

One of the victims disclosed the 43 year-old had filmed some of the abuse.

Rivett, of Stokefelde, Pitsea, was charged with 29 offences in total and, following a trial at Basildon Crown Court, he was convicted of 28 of the charges on 31 October this year.

He’s due to be sentenced at the same court on 6 January 2023.

Investigating officer PC Nick Scheider, from the Basildon Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “The victims in this case have demonstrated great strength to report and re-tell the horrendous ordeal Matthew Rivett subjected them to.

“It is difficult to imagine what they have been through, and their experience has and is likely to have a profound impact on their lives.

“Rivett (above) has now been held to account for the awful crimes he has committed and now faces the prospect of a significant amount of time in prison.

“No conviction or sentence can undo the damage he has done, but I hope this will help all those affected to move forward.”

Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex, Thurrock and Southend.

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis). Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.

Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy. For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.

For more information visit the https://synergyessex.org.uk/