Man guilty and behind bars for sexual offences against a child

NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE

A man who subjected a child to multiple non-recent sexual offences has been locked up for 13 years for his abhorrent crimes, after a jury found him guilty at Grimsby Crown Court. 

Daniel Holmes, 33-years-old, of North Street in Staffordshire, was charged with rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration, two counts of causing and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of assaulting a child by touching. Following an earlier appearance at court, Holmes denied all offences forcing the victim and their family to endure the horrific ordeal of a trial, reliving his horrific acts against them. 

The trial concluded on Friday, 7 March with the jury finding him guilty of sexual assault of a child under 13, attempted rape of child under 13, and assault by penetration. He was sentenced on Tuesday, 22 April to 13 years in prison and has also been handed a restraining order and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Enea Luciano from our Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) unit said: “Holmes committed these abhorrent crimes against a child, all to fulfil his own perverse sexual pleasure. 

“I can’t commend the victim and their family enough for their bravery in coming forward. It takes a lot to take that first step, and they’ve shown nothing but courage throughout what has been a very lengthy investigation. 

“The sentence given today will by no means take away any pain and suffering caused, but it does mean that this abhorrent criminal will be behind bars for a very long time, unable to inflict such incomprehensible emotional and physical harm to anyone else. 

“We take reports of this nature extremely seriously, regardless of whether they are recent or not, and we will continue to seek prosecution against anyone who thinks they will get away with committing such perverse crimes.

“It is never the victim’s fault, and I would strongly appeal for any child who is being manipulated into doing something they don’t want to, or anyone who suspects crimes of this nature are taking place, to please speak to a trusted adult or friend, and report it to us, when you are ready.

“I hope the result today will also encourage others to come forward if they have experienced something similar, and I’d like to offer my reassurance that we take all allegations like this seriously, and will do our upmost for our victims, as well as safeguard our wider communities against such acts.”

If you have been a victim of rape or sexual assault, or know someone who has, you can report to us directly through our non-emergency number 101, or 999 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.