Man jailed for 'horrific' abuse of child
A man who sexually abused a young girl nearly two decades ago has been jailed.
Peter Woolner committed the offences between 2001 and 2007 when his victim was aged between eight and 14.
The 74-year-old was found guilty after a trial of two counts of indecency with a child, two counts of indecent assault and three counts of possessing indecent images of a child.
On Friday, Woolner, of Fairway, in Normanton, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court for seven years and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
According to West Yorkshire Police the victim reported the crime in 2021, prompting a "complex and lengthy" investigation.
Det Insp Mark Tester said: "I want to praise the victim for her courage in coming forward to report the horrific abuse she was subjected to.
"Peter Woolner targeted a vulnerable child and it is right that he is now behind bars for his crimes.
"I hope his sentencing provides some sense of justice for the victim and allows her to begin to move forward with her life."
He also urged any victims of unreported sexual offences to come forward and contact police, adding: "We will thoroughly investigate all inquiries to bring perpetrators to justice."
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
West Yorkshire Police
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Inquiry into ammunition left on police car's roof
Norfolk Police has launched an internal investigation after it lost two magazines of ammunition which were accidentally left on the roof of a police car. The force said the Postwick Interchange on the A47 near Norwich was closed on Friday at about 15:30 BST for more than two hours after the ammunition fell on to the slip road. "Police equipment was accidentally left on the roof of a police car while officers were responding to back up colleagues attending a firearms incident," it said. The road was reopened at about 18:00 BST. The force said a review of incident was being dealt with "promptly" by senior managers. "Two magazines containing ammunition fell into the area of the slip road so officers contained the area to ensure the safety of the public," it said. "The equipment was subsequently safely recovered and the road reopened." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Norfolk Constabulary
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Convicted nurse appeal 'straightforward', court told
The appeal of a former nurse who was convicted of murdering four elderly patients is a "straightforward" case, the Court of Appeal has heard. Colin Campbell, formerly known as Colin Norris, was found guilty in 2008 of killing four women by injecting them with insulin and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Doris Ludlam, 80, Bridget Bourke, 88, Irene Crookes, 79, and Ethel Hall, 86, were inpatients on orthopaedic wards where Campbell worked in Leeds in 2002 and developed unexplained hypoglycaemia. However, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which referred the case to the Court of Appeal four years ago, said prosecutors had relied on a "wholly circumstantial" case. Campbell, originally from Glasgow, was also found guilty of attempting to murder another inpatient, with his sentence carrying a minimum term of 30 years. On the 13th day of the appeal hearing in London, judges heard closing submissions from Campbell's barristers. In written submissions, Michael Mansfield KC said: "The appellant submits that this is a straightforward case in which this court must conclude that these convictions are unsafe." Campbell, who denied any wrongdoing and said he did nothing to cause hypoglycaemia, unsuccessfully appealed against his conviction in 2009 and applied to the CCRC in 2011. James Curtis KC, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court there were "certain matters to which we take exception" from the defence's closing submissions. "There are a number of matters that I would seek to issue corrections on, things we firmly disagree with my learned friend on," he said. The appeal before Lady Justice Macur, Sir Stephen Irwin and Mr Justice Picken is due to conclude on Friday. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. New evidence may prove nurse's conviction 'unsafe' HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Inquest to examine death of woman killed by husband
A coroner has said there remain "sufficient reasons" for an inquest to investigate the death of a woman after her husband was jailed for her murder more than a year ago. Taiwo Abodunde, 41, suffered "catastrophic brain injuries" when Olobunmi Abodunde attacked her at their home in Newmarket, Suffolk, in November 2023. Abodunde, 48, was told he would serve a minimum of 17 years in prison when he was jailed for life last May, having admitted killing his wife with a skateboard. At a pre-inquest hearing, Suffolk Coroner Darren Stewart said an inquest was needed to address matters "that were not dealt with" during the trial at Ipswich Crown Court. At Abodunde's trial, the crown court heard how he had been arrested and then bailed the day before his wife's death after Suffolk Police was called to a domestic incident. The next day, officers returning for a pre-arranged appointment with Mrs Abodunde heard between 40 and 50 "thuds", receiving no reply when they knocked at the door. They were cleared by senior officers to enter the house at 09:45 GMT, about 25 minutes after they had arrived. They found the "lifeless body of Mrs Abodunde with her skull smashed in", prosecutor Stephen Spence KC told the court. The handling of the police's response was examined by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which ruled two officers would face gross incompetence meetings. Suffolk Police said its investigation to determine whether or not the actions of its attending officers amounted to gross incompetence remained ongoing. At the pre-inquest hearing, Mr Stewart said he would not conduct the inquest "until after those proceedings have completed", and added: "The inquest is a not a blame game." The inquest is expected to last two weeks but is not likely to get under way until next March, at the earliest. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Man jailed for life for killing wife with skateboard 'Police might have saved my sister from husband' Independent Office for Police Conduct
