April 2001

Child-sex karate teacher gets life

A KARATE teacher who abused young boys over a 30-year period was jailed for life yesterday by a judge who labelled him a “truly evil and dangerous man”.

Joseph Griffin, of Huddersfield, had used the martial arts club as a cover to groom young boys for sexual abuse.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that Griffin plied some of the boys with alcohol before forcing them into degrading sex acts with him.

His youngest victim is still only nine years old.

The terrified boys – some as young as eight – were too afraid to report the strict disciplinarian to the authorities because they felt sure nobody would believe them, the court was told.

Some of the offences were committed at Griffin’s home, others during trips to London and Swansea and some in a caravan at Bridlington.

One of the boys was so traumatised by Griffin’s advances, the court heard, that he was haunted by recurring nightmares and was seen by his mother sleepwalking and shouting “No, No”.

Another youngster became so accustomed to the abuse that all Griffin had to do was point to his trousers and he would remove them as expected, said Sean Morris, prosecuting.

Griffin, 55, of The Old Schoolhouse, Golcar, Huddersfield, admitted 21 serious sexual offences. A number of other charges are to lie on file.

The court heard that he was born in County Galway, Ireland, and was introduced to homosexual practices at the age of 13 by a Catholic priest.

After moving to England when he was 18, he became an accomplished karate teacher and was highly regarded in the sport. He was also a trusted, well-known and well-liked member of Huddersfield’s Irish Catholic community. Some of the distraught parents of his victims even raised money for the karate club.

Passing sentence yesterday, Judge Alistair McCallum described Griffin as “truly an evil and dangerous man” who would “probably attack again” once released from prison.

“It makes one shudder to realise that a human being could be so degrading,” said the judge.

“The case has every aggravating feature imaginable.”

Parents had entrusted their young sons to Griffin’s care, Judge McCallum said, and he had abused that trust by forcing them to submit to his “insatiable sexual perversions”.

It was, he said, “despicable behaviour” and “an appalling course of conduct.” Judge McCallum added that it was the worst case of “disgusting sexual perversion” with which he had ever had to deal.

Ruling that Griffin should serve at least eight years before being considered for parole, Judge McCallum told him: “I sincerely hope that the Parole Board will exercise great care before releasing you.”

After his release, Griffin will be placed on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Last night Det Con Marion Colby of Kirklees child protection unit welcomed the sentence but told the Yorkshire Post she believed Griffin’s victims would never get over their ordeal.

“This has had a devastating effect on them and will continue to do so for the rest of their lives,” she said.

“What he did has destroyed families – they feel totally and utterly betrayed by him.

“The whole of the Irish Catholic community in Huddersfield has been let down by him.

“He was very well thought of and they trusted him with their children. This act of complete betrayal has destroyed them.”

Det Con Colby, who said Griffin’s eldest victim was now in his 40s and his youngest just nine years of age, added: “Lives have been ruined but I just hope they will get the counselling they need and deserve and see today as a day to move on.

“We could not have hoped for a better sentence.”