March 2021

Three paedophiles jailed over horrific abuse of two young girls in Kirklees

Three paedophiles have been jailed over horrific sexual abuse of two young girls in Kirklees.

Paul Ineson and his friends Phillip Ryan and Peter Craven abused the victims together over a number of years in the 1990s.

Leeds Crown Court heard Ineson raped one of the children while Ryan touched her and Craven watched. The victim told a jury how she had looked to Craven for help during the rape but instead he smiled back at her.

Judge Neil Clark described the victims’ evidence during the trial as ‘among the most unpleasant and upsetting’ that he has heard in the courts while working as a lawyer or a judge.

The jury unanimously found Ineson, now aged 52, guilty of two counts of rape of a child and 23 counts of indecent assault and Craven, now aged 47, guilty of seven counts of indecent assault.

Ryan, now aged 56, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault.

Ineson, of Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury Moor, was handed a 24-year extended sentence made up of a 22-year custodial period followed by a two-year extended licence period.

Ryan, from Kirklees but more recently living in New Queen Street, Scarborough, was jailed for 11 years.

Craven, of Woodsome Estate, Batley, was handed a seven-year extended sentence made up of a six-year custodial period followed by a one-year extended licence period.

The trio were all made to sign the sex offenders register for life.

The three defendants were remanded in custody ahead of today’s (Thursday’s) sentencing hearing and appeared in court via two video links from custody.

Prosecutor Kate Batty said Ineson had previous convictions for dissimilar offences and had never been to prison before.

She said Ryan had previous convictions, including for indecent assaults committed when he was a teenager. She said he has served several custodial sentences.