ANDREW LYONS FROM DONCASTER SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING THREE-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN EAST RIDING
In a case that has shocked the local community, Andrew Lyons, a 59-year-old man from Doncaster, was sentenced to seven years in prison for committing heinous sexual offences against a three-year-old girl.The crimes took place earlier this year in an East Riding town, and the court heard disturbing details that left many in the courtroom gasping.
Lyons pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of making indecent images.
The proceedings at Hull Crown Court revealed the severity of his actions, which included not only the abuse but also the act of photographing the incidents on his mobile phone.
The judge noted that Lyons might have escaped detection had he not taken photographs of his misconduct, which ultimately led to his arrest and prosecution.
During the trial, the prosecution barrister, John Thackray, presented a victim impact statement from the young girl’s mother.
He described the profound and lasting trauma inflicted on the family, emphasizing that the mother was suffering from depression and had developed alopecia, or hair loss, as a direct result of the emotional distress caused by Lyons’ actions.
The court was visibly affected as graphic details of the offences were disclosed, highlighting the disturbing nature of the case.
Lyons’ defense attorney, Christopher Dickens, acknowledged the repellent nature of the crimes and pointed out that Lyons was aware he would face a substantial custodial sentence.
He also highlighted that Lyons had no previous convictions and had entered an early guilty plea, which the court considered as mitigating factors.
However, Lyons initially denied the offences during his first police interview, claiming he had only “blown raspberries on her thighs,” a statement that was contradicted when photographs were discovered on his Nokia mobile phone.
It was during a subsequent interview, with a solicitor present, that Lyons admitted to the crimes.
He claimed that he had deleted the photographs immediately after taking them and insisted that he derived no sexual gratification from them.
Despite this, the court found the evidence compelling enough to impose a severe sentence.
Judge Michael Mettyear, the Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, delivered the sentence, expressing his disappointment that someone of Lyons’ age and lack of prior convictions could commit such serious offences.
The judge described the acts as “disgusting” and “ghastly,” emphasizing that Lyons had let down himself and the innocent child.
The judge also pointed out that Lyons’ act of photographing the abuse suggested a disturbing desire to revisit the crimes in the future.
Lyons interrupted the judge at this point, claiming he had deleted the photographs within minutes.
The judge dismissed this assertion, stating, “I don’t believe you.” In addition to his prison sentence, Lyons was subjected to a ten-year sexual offences prevention order, restricting his future conduct and contact with children.
Judge Mettyear concluded by condemning Lyons’ actions as disgraceful and disgusting, urging him to be ashamed of himself for the harm he caused to the vulnerable young girl and her family.
