Locations
Crabtree Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1
Description
A CUNNING sexual predator has been given an 18-year extended prison sentence for abusing a child in the Bradford district.
David Hammond, 44, was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court in November of the non-recent offending and today locked up on a video link to HMP Doncaster where he was remanded.
Hammond, of Crabtree Street, Halifax, was labelled ‘disgusting and wrong’ by his victim in a statement read out in court.
The victim spoke of their hatred for him and the nightmares and emotional trauma suffered since, describing him as ‘an awful disgusting man’ who had taken the smile off their face.
Hammond’s barrister, Ian Howard, said he was disabled and would find things very difficult in prison. He wasn’t getting any physiotherapy in custody and that had restricted his ability to move around.
Mr Howard said Hammond was no longer capable of independent living and that would curtail his ability to repeat such offending in the future.
But the trial judge, Recorder David Gordon, labelled Hammond ‘sexually predatory’ with ability and cunning.
He had denied any wrongdoing, giving evidence on oath before he was unanimously convicted by a jury that disbelieved him.
Recorder Gordon said Hammond had ‘a long-established sexual interest in children.’ His vulnerable victim had been left devastated psychologically and would bear the scars of the abuse for many years to come.
Hammond had shown no remorse, Recorder Gordon stated.
He conceded that his health was poor, with him having suffered at least one stroke, and appearing on the link in a wheelchair.
Recorder Gordon ruled that Hammond was a dangerous offender under the meaning of the law. There was a significant risk that he would cause serious harm to children in the future.
The contents of the probation report were ‘disturbing’ with the author assessing that his future risk was high.
Hammond’s sentence comprises a 13-year custodial term with a five-year licence period, equating to an 18-year extended prison sentence.
Recorder Gordon told him he will serve at least nine years behind bars before he can even be considered for parole and he may end up in prison for the entirely of the 13 years.
He must sign on the sex offender register for an indefinite period of time.
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made for life and a restraining order bans Hammond from contacting his victim in any way for an indefinite period.