Bradford man jailed for 17 years for grooming children on online games
The 56 year old has been jailed for a total of 15 different offences
Last updated 1st Apr 2025
A Bradford man has been jailed for 17 years after grooming and abusing children he'd met while playing games online.
56 year old Richard Barker, of Keighley Road, was initially charged with 11 different offences in relation to victims aged between 13 and 15 in June 2023.
He'd encouraged them to send him indecent images of themselves.
However, further allegations were then made against him leading to Barker being charged with two counts of sexual assault and four counts of rape.
He was convicted of two counts of rape and two of sexual assault at Bradford Crown Court in November last year.
Yesterday (March 31) he was sentenced to a lengthy jail term, as well as a four year period out on extended licence.
He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Detective Constable Donna Stokes, of West Yorkshire Police, said:
“Barker is a predatory man who purposely targeted the most vulnerable children in society to satisfy his own sexual gratification.
“This has been a lengthy investigation over a number of years with delays due to Covid.
“I would like to praise the bravery and courage of the victims in reporting the abuse they endured. I hope today’s sentence can give them some comfort in knowing Barker will be behind bars for a long time.
“Bradford Safeguarding team treats all reports of sexual offences with the upmost care and sensitivity. We take all reports and investigate them thoroughly.”