Abuser is jailed after grooming teenage victim

A FORMER York man has been jailed for six years and seven months for child sex offences against a teenage girl.

Michael John Dale, 30, of Dorts Crescent, Church Fenton, previously from the York area, was jailed at York Crown Court, police said.

Dale pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, North Yorkshire Police said.

He admitted three of the offences in February and a fourth in July 2018, on the day he was due to stand trial, the force added.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Peter Smith, of York Serious Crime Team, said: “This case involved the exploitation of an innocent teenage girl by an older man who took advantage of her age and immaturity for his own sexual gratification.

“The investigation started several years ago and initially the victim was not forthcoming because she had been groomed by Dale.

“However now that she is older she has realised that what happened was wrong. Although he initially pleaded guilty to some offences, he continued to deny others, only admitting to them on the morning of his trial.

“The victim is now left trying to piece her life back together after realising that her childhood was taken away from her by his actions.”

Det Con Smith added that he hoped the “significant sentence goes some way in helping her to move on, and encourages other victims of grooming to come forward to the police”.

North Yorkshire Police has specially trained officers, specialist facilities and support from partner agencies for anyone wishing to report sexual abuse.

The force said that it does not matter when the abuse happened, whether it is happening now or if it took place many years ago – people are still encouraged to come forward to report it.

“What is important is that you get the help and support you need, that wider safeguarding measures can be put in place and that any perpetrators are investigated and brought to justice,” the force’s statement continued.

Officers said people can report abuse by calling 101.