Bradford Paedophile Jailed for Over a Decade for Child Rape

A Bradford man has been sentenced to over a decade in prison for multiple counts of rape against a child. David Smith, 35, of Allerton, pleaded guilty to the offenses which took place between 2003 and 2009. The crimes were reported by the victim, now an adult, to the authorities.

Smith was sentenced to eleven and a half years in prison by the Crown Prosecution Service's Rape & Serious Sexual Offences Unit. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

During sentencing, Recorder Jason Pitter acknowledged mitigating factors presented by Smith's defense team but emphasized the devastating impact of the abuse on the victim and her family.

Detective Sergeant Roshan Pitteea of Bradford Safeguarding Unit stated, "Smith committed multiple rapes against his victim when she was a child and the impact on her has been profound. We welcome the lengthy sentence handed down today."

Pitteea continued, "We hope this sends a strong message to any other victims of non-recent abuse to come forward and report this to the police. We will listen to you, and we will investigate. We will do all we can to seek justice for you."

"I hope the sentence today brings the victim some comfort and closure for her and her family. I commend her bravery in coming forward to report the abuse and her resolve throughout the investigation and court process. I would like to thank her Independent Sexual Violence Advisor from West Yorkshire Victim Support for supporting her every step of the way."

Recorder Pitter also commended the victim for her bravery, having listened to her victim impact statement, which was read out in court by prosecuting counsel Mr Soheil Khan K.C.