Whitby man David Boyes jailed after 'horrendous' sexual abuse of girl

David Boyes, 55, from Church Square, Whitby, appeared for sentence on Tuesday at York Crown Court after admitting sexual assault of a child.

The victim had suffered deep psychological scars following the abuse, said prosecutor Soheil Khan.

Mr Khan said she had told friends about what happened but did not make disclosures to police for years because “she was made to believe that what was happening to her was normal”.

Now an adult, she told her partner about the abuse and in February she finally went to the police.

Boyes was arrested and made full admissions.

He claimed to be “full of remorse”.

The victim said she was “full of anxiety and stress” following the abuse.

She felt “deprived of education because of what (Boyes) did”, suffered from flashbacks and had “very-low” self-esteem.

She was “confused by her own feelings of guilt”.

“She feels broken and has started receiving counselling,” said Mr Khan.

Kevin Blount, for Boyes, said his client had never been in trouble before and was remorseful for his vile behaviour.

Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, described Boyes’s offences as “horrendous”.

He told him: “You subjected (the victim) to serious sexual abuse.

“Your actions came about because you (had) a warped attraction to (the victim),” added Mr Morris.

Jailing Boyes for 11 years, the judge told him he would have to serve an extended one-year period on prison licence upon his eventual release from jail halfway through his sentence.

Boyes was also placed on the sex-offenders’ register for life and made subject to a 20-year sexual-harm prevention order.

A spokesperson for the victim’s family thanked the police and CPS, and said: “No amount of punishment can replace the victim’s lost childhood, however we recognise that in difficult Covid circumstances the courts imposed a sentence that will keep a predator off the streets.

“We would like to thank the various charities and victim support groups for their help and input and at all times keeping the victim safe.

“If you or anyone you know is suffering any form of abuse, we encourage you to come forward and contact the police.”