MAN JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST TEENAGER IN 1980S AND 90S
Alan Ward was sentenced to prison today (7 July) after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences committed in the 1980s and 1990s in South Kirkby.At the time of the abuse, Ward was in his 30s and began a sexual relationship with a girl who was only 14 years old.
This relationship persisted until she reached her late teens.
During her early teenage years, Ward who was employed at a petrol station on Barnsley Road in South Kirkby would sexually assault the young girl.
The incidents spanned over several years during her adolescence.
During the first incident, Ward told the victim: “I’m getting you ready for when you’re sixteen.” The victim came forward to report Ward in 2020.
This prompted an investigation by the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit which led to Ward, who more recently worked as an ice cream man, being charged with non-recent sexual offences.
Ward denied the allegations made against him.
But after a trial at Leeds Crown Court, he was found guilty of four counts of indecently assaulting a girl under 16 which took place in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He was also found guilty of a further sex offence (buggery) which took place over the same period.
Appearing before Leeds Crown Court for sentencing today, Ward, aged 71, of Barnsley Road, South Kirkby, was given a concurrent jail sentence of 13 years.
