Athol Man Sentenced for 1998-2000 Sexual Abuse

Ricky A. Jardine, 63, of Athol, was sentenced today in Greenfield Superior Court in connection with his sexual abuse of a 12-year-old Orange girl, during the years 1998 to 2000.  

Jardine pleaded guilty to a two count indictment charging him with Indecent Assault & Battery on a Child Under 14 Years, for molesting his employer’s daughter when she would visit her father’s Orange auto shop, where Jardine worked as a mechanic in the late 90’s. 

Judge John Agostini imposed a one year jail term, followed by eight years of probation, during which Jardine must wear a GPS device, register as a sex offender, have no contact with children under 16 years, and participate in sex offender treatment. 

Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Carrie Russell, who prosecuted the case, said, "On behalf of the victim and her family we are pleased that we were able to provide a modicum of justice and closure so many years after the victim’s childhood was stolen from her."

The victim addressed the court, saying the crimes had affected every aspect of her and her family’s life, and she had waited so many years for the community to see and acknowledge that she was the victim, and that Jardine  was the perpetrator of these criminal acts.  

The victim’s mother told the judge that these crimes had stolen her daughter’s innocence, and she hoped that today’s plea would provide some closure for her daughter.