Ilkeston man jailed for sexual abuse of children

Credit: Derbyshire Police

An Ilkeston man has been jailed for more than two decades for sexually abusing three children.

Ralph Fletcher, 35, of Barclay Court, was found guilty of 14 sexual offences against the children during a trial in May this year.

The offences included rape, assault by penetration, and sexual touching.

Ronald Fletcher, 37, of Welwyndale Road, Sutton Coldfield was also found guilty of two counts of sexual touching against one of the children, during the same trial

A third defendant, Zoe Upchurch, 30, of Walpole Street, Derby was found guilty of four counts of child cruelty.

All three were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 20th August 2026.

Ralph Fletcher was jailed for 24 years, and Ronald Fletcher was jailed for five years.

The pair were also handed lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Upchurch was handed a three-year community order, with rehabilitation requirements.

All three were also given lifetime restraining orders in respect of the three children.

Detective Constable, Natalie Fletcher, officer in the case said: “I want to thank the three victims in this case who have been unbelievably brave in telling us what happened to them.

“This courage, alongside the support of other witnesses, has meant that we have been able to seek justice and ensure that those responsible were held publicly accountable for their despicable crimes.

“The sentence handed to Ralph Fletcher who was the ringleader of this abuse, is telling of what a dangerous individual he is.

“Nothing can take away the trauma that Ralph and Ronald Fletcher, and Zoe Upchurch inflicted upon the victims, but I hope that they can go on to rebuild their lives in peace.”