Man jailed for serious sexual assault of boy in Craven
It happened at a school in the 1980s.
Last updated 28th Feb 2022
A 74 year-old man's been jailed for 17 years for a serious sexual assault involving a boy in Craven.
It happened at a school in the 1980s.
David John Hope of Granby Close, in Headingley in Leeds, was sentenced after being found guilty of seven offences.
The victim came forward to police in 2017.
He has also been ordered to serve an additional year on licence and has been made subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
North Yorkshire Police’s Non-Recent Abuse Investigation Team charged Hope with the offences in December 2019 and he appeared at Skipton Magistrates’ Court the following month.
Detective Constable Alison Morris, of North Yorkshire Police’s Non-Recent Abuse Investigation Team, said: “I have nothing but admiration for the way he has coped throughout this distressing process, including the two-week trial after Hope denied the offences.
“He put his trust and faith in North Yorkshire Police to secure justice against his perpetrator, and he can be very proud that we have achieved this together.
“The sickening actions of Hope have taken a life-long toll on him that cannot be fully comprehended.
"It is my wish that this outcome is a positive step forward and that the painful burden of child abuse will start to slowly ease.
“As ever, this investigation shows that it is never too late to make a report to the police or seek the professional help and support that is readily available to victims of child abuse.
“Please remember, we are a here to help you.”