Nicole Rickatson and Anthony Preston treated their victim ‘like a ragdoll’
A sick couple who used their victim as a ‘rag doll’ during a ‘horrific’ sex attack were found guilty by jurors. Nicole Rickatson smirked and watched as her fiance, Anthony Preston, raped their scared victim.
The two were obsessed with having a ‘thoroughly pleasant threesome’ with the woman, treating her as a ‘toy’ for their’sexual escapades and wants’. They sexually molested her without her permission and even ‘encouraged and supported each other’ in sex practices.
A court heard how the duo rejected her repeated pleas to stop and leave her alone. Prosecutor Richard Butters stated, “They did what they wanted.”
They helped themselves to her. They treated her like a rag doll, sexually torturing her. Preston, 22, and Rickatson, 27, both denied three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one charge of perverting the course of justice.
After a trial, they were both convicted of one count of rape, and Preston was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice, according to HullLive. Preston and Rickatson said “let’s have a threesome” at Hull Crown Court, but the woman mistook it for a joke.
When the woman refused to stay, it’seemed to infuriate Preston’. Preston began to grab at her and tug her hair. Mr Butters stated that the victim “said from the outset” she did not want to be engaged.
The defendants ‘knew they were doing something against her will’. Mr Butters stated, “She was trying to halt this sexual attack, which is exactly what it was.
“This was a horrifying sexual assault on her.” She was attempting to fight back and stop this from happening, but Preston continued forcing her down. “He was making certain she couldn’t move.”
The prosecution continued, “The victim was saying “stop,” and she didn’t want to do any of this. But Preston continued to do what he was doing. Rickatson was present at the time. They didn’t appear to care. That is how she characterized it in her evidence.”
According to the court, the victim was unable to move because “one or both of them were holding her down.” Mr Butters further claimed that Rickatson ‘encouraged the abuse’.
He told the court, “She remembered Preston remarking to her that she was a “nice kid.” She stated that when she said “no” throughout the abuse, both defendants laughed, which was a recurring theme throughout the encounter.
“Both defendants were aware that she was not consenting to any of these acts, but they either mistreated her directly or urged the other to do so. Both defendants said they were having fun, and she recalls Rickatson laughing at her side while she was raped by Preston.
The woman immediately changed and ran downstairs before calling a male friend. The incident was reported to the police immediately.
She also had scratch scars on her back, and the incident left her feeling ‘numb’. The court heard that blood-stained bedding had been’removed from the investigative site’.
Mr Butters stated, “They have abused her horribly.” She felt like a toy, utilized for their own sexual escapades and fantasies. Preston and Rickatson, who had no prior convictions, declined to testify for the defense during their trial, claiming that the sexual behavior was voluntary.
Preston and Rickatson, both of Allendale, Middleburg Street, East Hull, were remanded into custody and will be sentenced at a later date. Det Con Thomas Birkenhead of Humberside Police’s protecting vulnerable persons section stated that on Friday, December 8, 2023, the woman paid Rickaston and Preston a visit at their home.
“Both Rickatson and Preston took advantage of her trust, viewing it as a chance to pin her down, abuse, and rape her for their own sexual pleasure. Preston then attempted to conceal their sexual deviancy by removing evidence from the bedroom, which was later discovered by officers.
“They then refused to admit their crimes and forced the victim to repeat the event through a trial. I’d want to applaud the woman for her courage and strength in coming forward and reporting Rickatson and Preston.
“While the verdict does not alleviate the ongoing anguish she must face, I am glad the couple has been held accountable for their acts. We take all complaints of such crimes seriously and would encourage anyone who has been a victim of rape to speak with someone they trust and report it to the police.
“When you are ready, you can call us at our non-emergency number 101 and report what happened to you, whether it happened today or 20 years ago. Always dial 999 if you are in immediate danger. We will listen, and we will continue to pursue justice for victims of crimes like this.”
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