Calderdale Man Jailed for 18 Years for Sexual Offenses Against Children

John Davies, 58, from Sowerby Bridge, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses against young children. The sentencing took place at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, following a trial in June where Davies was convicted of three sexual assaults and two sexual touching offenses.

The offenses, which took place between 2014 and 2020, involved four girls in the Calderdale and Huddersfield areas. Davies was branded as a danger to children by Kirklees safeguarding detectives.

The judge described Davies as a dangerous offender who posed a high risk of serious harm to very young children. He will be placed on the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

The investigation began in 2020 after one of Davies' victims disclosed the abuse. Following his arrest, both Calderdale and Kirklees specialist detectives conducted further inquiries.

Detective Constable Yvonne Brear, who led the inquiry, stated: "John Davies abused the trust of others and took advantage of young victims in a truly dreadful way. It is no exaggeration to say he poses a real danger to children, and we welcome the substantial sentence handed down to him today. He chose to compound the suffering of his victims and their families by taking the case to trial, and that has been reflected in the sentence imposed."

West Yorkshire Police remains committed to investigating all reports of child sexual offending, prioritizing the needs of victims in every investigation.