Leeds man jailed for 18 years for 'catalogue of abuse'

Sunter was convicted of nine offences against one victim, over a period from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

67 year old Graham Sunter
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 25th Oct 2024

A Leeds man responsible for a 'catalogue' of abuse against a young boy has been handed a 19 year sentence.

Graham Sunter, aged 67, of Bayswater Place, Harehills, will spend 18 years behind bars and one year on extended licence following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

He was also given given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register life.

Sunter was convicted of nine offences against one victim, over a period from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

The victim reported him to police in 2022.

Detective Inspector Mark Tester, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Sunter inflicted an appalling catalogue of sexual abuse against the victim over a number of years, and this has had hugely traumatic impact on his life.

“The officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Paul Burlace, supported the victim throughout the investigation to comprehensively capture all the evidence that has resulted in these convictions being secured.

“We recognise the courage that the victim has shown throughout the investigation and the court process, and we hope the significant sentence Sunter has how received will provide some reassurance to him.

“We also hope that the successful outcome of this case will help to give other victims of similar offences the confidence to come forward knowing they will be listened to and supported.

“We will always treat sexual offences of this nature very seriously and our specialist safeguarding officers will continue to do everything they can to secure convictions against predatory offenders like Sunter to get justice for victims and protect others from harm.”

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