Man jailed for series for of sexual assaults in Dewsbury decades ago
The 71 year old will serve an 11 year prison sentence
A man has been handed an 11 year prison sentence for a series of historic sexual assaults carried out in Dewsbury decades ago.
71 year old Stephen Wraith, now of Belmont Terrace on the Isle of Man, was convicted for one offence of incident assault between 1986 and 1988, and then for another count linked at least 10 indecent assaults committed between 1986 and 1993.
The victim, who was a young girl aged under 10 at the time of the assaults, came forward to police as an adult in 2022.
Wraith was convicted on July 18. He will serve a year on extended licence upon release, will also have to sign the Sex Offender's Register and will be made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
DC Gilly Hodds of West Yorkshire Police said: “We welcome the sentencing of Wraith for a prolonged series of serious sexual offences against a very young and vulnerable victim who had no way of defending herself against awful sexual abuse.
“I want to praise her courage in coming forwards as an adult to report the offending committed by Wraith and then in supporting a prosecution to bring him to justice.
“We hope seeing his conviction and sentencing may help bring her some closure and peace in knowing that this man is being made to pay for the crimes he inflicted on her.”
“Prosecutions of defendants for sexual abuse, and especially offending which took place so long ago, send a very clear message that we will always work to bring those responsible for such crimes to justice, and that it is never too late for victims to come forwards.
“We encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual offending, no matter when it took place, who has not reported what happened, for whatever reason, to contact us.
“All reports are thoroughly investigated by specialist officers who can also direct victims to partners who can offer the support they may need.”