Cleckheaton man jailed for sexual offences against teenage girl
The offences took place at an address in Kirklees in May this year
A Cleckheaton man has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexual offences against a teenage girl in Kirklees.
Stuart Murgatroyd, 31, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court on November 27, after admitting three counts of sexual activity with a child.
The offences took place at an address in Kirklees on May 11 this year and were reported to police by the victim and her family on the same day.
Murgatroyd was arrested within hours of the crimes being reported.
He was charged shortly afterward and appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court on May 13, later pleading guilty at Leeds Crown Court
Alongside the prison term Murgatroyd has also been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register.
Detective Constable Paul Campbell of West Yorkshire Police said:
“This has been an awful case in which Murgatroyd took advantage of a vulnerable teenage girl and then committed serious sexual offences against her."
“We welcome his guilty plea which spared her the ordeal of a trial, but the truth of the matter was that the strength of the evidence against him gave him little option."
"I also want to pay tribute to the courage of the victim and her family. They very swiftly reported the offence, leading to Murgatroyd’s rapid arrest, charge, and remand, ensuring a sexual predator was very quickly off our streets.
"We fully appreciate how hard it can be for victims to come forward but by doing so and supporting the police and CPS as bravely as we have seen in this case, they can help achieve justice and make sure offenders such as Murgatroyd answer for their crimes."