Twenty jailed for child rape and abuse in West Yorkshire

Twenty men have been jailed for raping and abusing four girls in Calderdale, West Yorkshire Police have said.

- ANDY GREGORY

The men have been sentenced to a combined total of 219 years in prison in relation to sexual abuse carried out between 2001 and 2010, against four girls aged 12 to 16. The abuse was uncovered in a series of trials and extensive police investigations into allegations first received back in 2016.

West Yorkshire Police said they announced the convictions yesterday after court restrictions put in place to safeguard legal proceedings were lifted, allowing them to share the details of three investigations where trials have now concluded.

Detective chief inspector Claire Smith said: “Firstly, I want to acknowledge the sheer courage of the victims and survivors in each of these investigations – not only for having the bravery to come forward initially but also for enduring the criminal justice system and the weight of criminal trials and reporting restrictions in place.

“Due to legal restrictions, it has not been possible to publicise these outcomes until now. I welcome the sentences handed to these offenders for the abhorrent abuse these young girls were subjected to, which was heard by the jurors in each trial over the last few years. Tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse is a top priority for West Yorkshire Police and our partners. This is an abhorrent crime which has a lifelong impact on victims and survivors.”