Persistent sex offender who got away with his crimes against two young girls went on to rape another child.

A persistent sex offender who evaded justice for crimes against two young girls in Calderdale has finally been sentenced to prison after raping another child.

Daren Skillings, now 57, was questioned by police nearly a decade ago regarding the abuse of the first two victims. However, he denied any wrongdoing at the time, and no further action was taken.

Prosecutor Jayne Beckett informed Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday that the case was reopened after Skillings, now of Sticker Lane, Bradford, was accused of abusing and raping a third young girl several years later.

One of Skillings' first victims confronted him in court and witnessed him being sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was also given an additional extended licence period of one year to be served at the end of his sentence.

Mrs. Beckett read impactful victim impact statements from all three complainants, who remain unidentified for legal reasons. These statements detailed the nightmares, flashbacks, and trauma they had endured as a result of Skillings' crimes.

One of his first victims expressed sadness that it took years to achieve justice. She said, "I never got my justice when I first reported it... I wasn't believed." She stated that the subsequent rape could have been prevented and expressed hope that Skillings would never harm anyone again.

The third victim shared that she experiences nightmares and flashbacks regularly, and every aspect of her life has been challenging.

Skillings, who will now have to register as a sex offender for life, pleaded guilty to the rape and abuse charges involving his most recent victim. He was found guilty of abusing the other two complainants by a jury following a trial.

Catherine Silverton, representing Skillings, stated that he had always acknowledged responsibility for the rape and expressed deep shame and remorse. She mentioned that he had been a hardworking man who appeared to have been a "functioning alcoholic."

Sentencing Skillings, Judge Armstrong highlighted the deeply moving nature of the victim statements. He acknowledged that the initial case was not pursued promptly and was only revisited after the more recent allegations surfaced.

Skillings will now serve two-thirds of his 11-year prison sentence and will be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order upon his eventual release on licence.