A man from Bradford has been sentenced to eleven and a half years after admitting to multiple counts of rape against a child.
David Smith, aged 35 from Allerton was charged with multiple counts of non-recent rape against a female.
The offending took place on several occasions between 2003 and 2009 during the victim’s childhood.
The victim reported the abuse as an adult and the investigation was carried out by Bradford Safeguarding Unit. The decision to charge Smith was made by a specialist prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service’s Rape & Serious Sexual Offences Unit.
Today (6 April) at Bradford Crown Court Smith was jailed for eleven and a half years. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will also be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Sentencing Smith, Recorder Jason Pitter acknowledged the mitigation put forward by his defence team but also highlighted the devastating impact of the ‘horrible’ abuse on the victim and her family.
Recorder Pitter commended the victim for her bravery, having listened to her victim impact statement, which was read out in court by prosecuting counsel Mr Soheil Khan K.C.
Detective Sergeant Roshan Pitteea, of Bradford Safeguarding Unit, said; “Smith committed multiple rapes against his victim when she was a child and the impact on her has been profound. I welcome the lengthy sentence handed down today.
“We hope this sends a strong message to any other victims of non-recent abuse to come forward and report this to the police. We will listen to you, and we will investigate. We will do all we can to seek justice for you.
“I hope the sentence today brings the victim some comfort and closure for her and her family. I commend her bravery in coming forward to report the abuse and her resolve throughout the investigation and court process. I would like to thank her Independent Sexual Violence Advisor from West Yorkshire Victim Support for supporting her every step of the way.”
