Anthony Sharp 66

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A Huddersfield man has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of sexually abusing a girl more than 20 years ago.

Anthony Sharp, 66, of Raynor Close, Oakes, was locked up at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday for the abuse which a judge said had had a catastrophic effect on his victim. Recorder Anthony Hawks also imposed an indefinite restraining order which bans Sharp from contacting the complainant in the future and the defendant must also register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life.

The victim, who must not be identified for legal reasons, provided the court with a victim impact statement which Recorder Hawks said painted a very unhappy picture. He said: “The effect on her has been catastrophic as it inevitably is in all these cases were children are abused."

The judge said the consequences could stretch on for years, but hopefully she could now have some closure. Sharp was found guilty by the jury on five charges of indecent assault. The judge told him: “You chose to have a trial. That was your choice. You don’t receive a larger sentence because you have had a trial, but I can’t give you any credit plainly for pleading guilty and exhibiting remorse.”

Barrister Ian Howard, for Sharp, said the offending took place many moons ago and there had been no further offending in the intervening period. Sharp will have to serve at least two-thirds of his seven-year jail term before being released on licence.

Following the sentencing, PC Kate Healey, of the Calderdale District Safeguarding Unit at West Yorkshire Police, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victim for her bravery in not only coming forward to report these offences, but in enduring a lengthy investigation process and a trial following Sharp’s not guilty plea. She has demonstrated courage and dignity throughout the entire process, which is undoubtedly a daunting experience.

“I think the sentence reflects the seriousness of Sharp’s offending. He committed his crimes against a vulnerable victim, which was the ultimate betrayal of the trust of the victim and her family. Hopefully this sentence goes some way towards providing the victim with some comfort and closure to what has been the most horrific time of her life.

“I would also like to encourage anyone who has been a victim of any form of abuse, whether recent or non-recent, to come forward and speak with our specially trained officers. We will thoroughly investigate all reports and do all that we can to secure justice.”