Pudsey man who fled to Ireland handed 32 year sentence for child sex offences

A Pudsey man has been handed a 32 year sentence after he fled to Ireland in a bid to evade justice for child sexual offences.

38 year old Jason Spence, of Roker Lane, was convicted of four counts of rape and five counts of assault by touching, along with creating and possessing indecent images of children.

Spence initially failed to appear for sentencing at Leeds Crown Court on April 16. He spent 33 days on the run before being arrested in Ireland.

He'll spend 28 years behind bars and at least eight on licence.

Detective Constable Susan Abbott, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Spence has tried to evade justice by leaving the country before he could be sentenced, causing further distress to his victims and their family members."

"We were determined to find him and worked closely with An Garda Síochána to ensure he was arrested and brought back to the UK to be sentenced.

"Spence is clearly a dangerous man who has preyed on multiple children.

"I hope that knowing he is now in prison helps those who have been involved in this awful case as they continue to try and rebuild their lives."

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