WAKEFIELD SEX OFFENDER ALFRED PRIEST AVOIDS JAIL AFTER DRUNKEN SEXUAL ASSAULT

In December 2013, Alfred Priest, a man with a long history of sexual offences, found himself in the spotlight once again following a disturbing incident in Wakefield. The 61-year-old, who resides on Duke of York Avenue in the Portobello area, had been drinking heavily since the morning, consuming approximately 15 pints of beer at a local pub. His intoxication culminated in a serious and distressing assault on a woman in her own home around 5.30 pm that day.

According to court proceedings at Wakefield Magistrates’ Court, Priest followed the woman into her residence, where he proceeded to molest her. The victim was left visibly shaken and deeply distressed by the attack, describing her feelings as “shocked and shaken” in a victim impact statement. The court was informed that Priest’s actions caused significant emotional trauma to the woman, who feared he might force himself upon her.

During the hearing, the court heard that Priest, who has a notorious criminal past, had been drinking in the pub since 11 am. His previous convictions include serious offences such as rape, grievous bodily harm, and criminal damage from the 1970s, along with indecent exposure and additional rape convictions in the late 1970s and 1980s. Notably, he was convicted in 1985 for having sex with a girl under the age of 16.

Prosecutor Richard Ogden revealed that during police interviews, Priest admitted that the woman appeared “terrified and needed to relax” during the assault. He also acknowledged that he was intoxicated and described his behaviour as “a bit naughty.” In his statement, Priest confirmed that he was drunk and that his actions were influenced by his state of intoxication.

Priest was arrested at the scene, and during the interview, he agreed with the victim’s account of events. The court was told that the woman felt helpless and feared he might force himself on her, emphasizing the severity of her trauma.

In court, Priest pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault. The bench, led by chairman Graham Commons, considered his criminal history and the circumstances of the offence. Instead of a custodial sentence, the magistrates imposed a three-year community order, which includes supervision, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a requirement to undertake 60 days of activity. Additionally, Priest was ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs.

Mr. Commons remarked to Priest, “You realise this could have been a custodial sentence,” highlighting the seriousness of the offence and the court’s decision to opt for a community-based punishment. As part of his sentence, Priest will be registered on the sex offender register for five years, reflecting the gravity of his past and present actions.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in dealing with repeat offenders, especially those with a history of sexual crimes. Despite his lengthy criminal record, Priest’s recent offence did not result in imprisonment, raising questions about sentencing policies and the management of offenders with serious past convictions in Wakefield.