James Staves 66

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A serial sex offender has been jailed for 11-and-a-half years after he targeted two young girls during separate incidents of sexual abuse and caused them serious emotional damage.

James Staves let his "sexual interest" in children "overwhelm" him during the "grave" offences and the victims were caused "profound and long-lasting" pain and anguish, Hull Crown Court heard.

Staves, 66, formerly of Dalwood Close, Bransholme, Hull, but recently of Southwood Avenue, Cottingham, admitted raping a girl under 13 as well as two offences of sexually assaulting another girl under 13 and another offence of inciting her to engage in sexual activity.

Graham O'Sullivan, prosecuting, said that Staves sexually abused one of the girls and raped her after taking off her clothes and kissing her on her neck and face.

Staves left the second girl scared after he touched her intimately. He asked her: "Do you want me to stop, then?" and she replied: "Yes, I don't like it."

Staves tried to stop the girl reporting what had happened to her but she did so anyway. He was arrested but, during police interview, he made no comment to all questions.

David Godfrey, mitigating, said that there were "concerning aspects" in a pre-sentence report about Staves. "He did express to me genuine shame at what he had done and bitter regret at his actions," said Mr Godfrey.

They were "grave" offences because of the shattering effect of them and the pain caused. "With these sorts of offences, defendants do often chance their hand and have a trial," said Mr Godfrey.

"He fell on his sword quite late in the day but he wants to say sorry." Staves suffered from medical difficulties and he had problems with his mobility and heart. He suffered a stroke in 2019 and this had a significant effect on him.

"Custody is going to be extremely hard for him," said Mr Godfrey. "He hasn't been in that environment before. He acknowledges that he is the author of his downfall through his own actions.

"He knows that what he did was wrong. He is working through the process of that now. He is sorry." Staves had no previous convictions.

Judge Alexander Menary said that the rape had a "profound and long-lasting effect" on the victim and she had to cope with being wrongly accused of telling "horrific lies" against Staves.

There were "serious echoes" of what happened to her in the later offences against the second girl. "You let your sexual interest in children overwhelm you again," said Judge Menary.

The second girl was forced to pre-record evidence that would have been used in a scheduled trial. "That is to your shame," said Judge Menary. A trial was not, in the end, needed after Staves pleaded guilty.

"You are going to be a much older man by the time you are released," said Judge Menary.

Staves will be on extended licence of one year after his release from prison. He will have to register as a sex offender for life.