Devon man jailed for 1977 rape of student in Leeds
The woman was attacked on her first night in Leeds back in the late '70s.
Last updated 23rd Apr 2026
A man has been jailed 49 years after raping a student in Leeds, on her first night in the city.
66 year old David Sharp, now of Totnes in Devon, was found guilty of one count of rape and one count of indecent assault following a trial at Leeds Crown Court last month.
He was handed a six year sentence at Leeds Crown Court earlier today and will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for the remainder of his life.
In a victim impact statement, the woman who was targeted by Sharp in 1977 wrote:
“On 2 October 1977, I was just 18 years and three months old when I arrived in Leeds to start my degree course. My heart aches for that young woman."
"It was to be the start of me being more independent, spreading my wings and exploring the city of Leeds and the world. I had such enormous hope, potential and the world to explore. This was all stolen away from me that night.
“Years later, I reflect on that time in October 1977 and think of my poor parents who left me in Leeds that night, believing that I was safe from harm.
"Never could they have imagined that such a horrendous act would befall their youngest daughter. The events of that night massively affected them as well as my siblings.
“I have carried the events of that night in my head for almost 49 years; it has dominated my life.
"There is not a day that passes that it does not run through my mind like a horror film on continual repeat.
"The not knowing who was responsible for the rape and sexual assault has tormented me for all those years, causing great stress and anxiety.
“I had never seen a photograph of you David Sharp until the conclusion of the trial in March 2026, so I had no idea what you looked like. But you knew what I looked like and that has always been a source of great anxiety."
The rape was investigated at the time but went unsolved until a cold case review by West Yorkshire Police produced a DNA profile of a suspect, which led them to Sharp.
Detective Inspector Stephen King, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “The victim has been incredibly courageous after all these years to go through the court process. She is at the centre of this investigation into events which scarred her whole adult life and until now remained unresolved.
“No prison sentence can make up for the ongoing trauma that the victim has endured over 48 years and the way it mapped her life. We know she now feels justice has been served, she knows she was believed and is grateful for the work that the team have done to get the conviction at court and also in supporting her through the whole process.
“Forensic science is continually developing, and we will continue to utilise all available scientific advancements to solve cases, protect the public and get victims the outcomes they deserve.
“If anyone has been a victim of an offence, we would urge them to report it; you will be believed and supported by specially trained officers. This investigation shows that time is not a barrier to justice.”