Paedophile Matthew Rivett Jailed for 22 Years Over Sexual Abuse of Four Children
Serial sex abuser brought to justice
Matthew Rivett, 44, was sentenced to 22 years in prison at Basildon Crown Court last Friday. The Stokefelde resident was found guilty of 28 offences, including multiple counts of rape and assault by penetration against four children.
The horrific abuse took place in Pitsea and Canvey Island from 2002 to 2019. The shocking case came to light after victims reported the crimes in 2020 and 2021, triggering a police investigation.
Film evidence shocking, court hears
During the probe, one survivor revealed Rivett had filmed some of the abuse. This evidence helped secure his conviction at trial last November.
Investigator PC Nick Schneider from the Basildon Child Abuse Investigation Team praised the victims’ bravery:
“Their courage in coming forward and re-telling what Rivett put them through has ensured he is now behind bars for a significant amount of time and cannot pose a threat to anyone else.”
“Rivett is a prolific offender who committed awful crimes. He has now been held accountable and will now spend the foreseeable future in prison.”
Support for survivors in Essex
The trauma from Rivett’s crimes is lasting. PC Schneider added:
“No conviction or sentence can undo the damage he has done, but I hope this will help those affected to move forward.”
Support groups like Synergy Essex offer specialist help for victims of rape and sexual abuse across Essex, Thurrock, and Southend. They provide emotional support, counselling, and advocacy services for survivors of all ages and genders.
Synergy Essex is a partnership of CARA, SERICC, and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis and operates independently from the police. Victims can self-refer or be referred by loved ones or professionals. For those who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides Independent Sexual Violence Advisers to guide survivors through the criminal justice process.
