A man's jailed for abusing 2 girls in Rotherham
51 year old Neil King has been convicted through Operation Stovewood
Sixteen years ago Neil King subjected two young girls to horrendous sexual abuse.
The 51 year old from Dinnington in Rotherham has today 20 September been sentenced to 21 years in prison for 17 sexual offences against a girl and her best friend.
Officers from the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood – an investigation into historic allegations of sexual abuse in Rotherham – found that King began abusing the first victim in the summer of 2008, with his then-girlfriend, Louise Tye.
Tye – who is now deceased – knew the girl through her father and planned to sexually exploit her.
She forced the girl to participate in sex with herself and King, and King paid Tye money for her assistance in the abuse.
On one occasion the girl was accompanied by her best friend, aged around 13 or 14 at the time, and King abused them together.
Following the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Stuart Cobb said:
“This case demonstrates that it’s never too late to report sexual offences, so I urge anyone who was abused as a child to tell police. Reports will be handled by specially-trained officers.”
Samantha Thompson of the Crown Prosecution Service said:
“Neil King targeted his young victims with money, alcohol, drugs and gifts, grooming them for child sexual abuse, including rape and attempted rape.
“The lifelong physical and emotional trauma caused to victims by men like King cannot be understated. This type of conduct has equally damaged the community confidence of Rotherham."
Operation Stovewood remains the single biggest investigation of its kind, looking at allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. NCA officers have identified more than 1,100 victims, and to date 37 people – including King - have been convicted. More than 50 active investigations remain ongoing.