BRIAN BOARDMAN FROM GIGGLESWICK JAILED FOR DECADES-OLD SEX ABUSE IN YORKSHIRE DALES

In a significant development in the pursuit of justice for historical abuse cases, Brian Boardman, an 84-year-old man from Giggleswick near Settle, has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexually abusing teenage boys during the 1950s and 1970s in the Yorkshire Dales region. The sentencing took place at Bradford Crown Court, where Boardman pleaded guilty to four separate charges related to indecent assault and gross indecency.

These offences occurred at different times and locations, involving two victims. The first victim was assaulted at Yordas Cave, located near Ingleton, between June 20 and September 1, 1971. The second victim was subjected to similar offences at Giggleswick Scar and other nearby sites, with incidents spanning from November 26, 1958, to November 25, 1960. The crimes were committed during Boardman's involvement with the Burnley Caving Club from 1958 to 1960, and later with the Cave Rescue Organisation in 1971.

According to Detective Constable Kirsty Graham of North Yorkshire Police’s Non Recent Abuse Investigation Team, Brian Boardman exploited his expertise in caving to lure young boys into participating in trips that ultimately led to their abuse. She explained, “Brian Boardman used his knowledge of caving to offer the young boys to go on trips during which he abused them.”

Graham further detailed the lengthy process of bringing Boardman to justice, revealing that the first victim came forward in 2008. Unfortunately, at that time, there was insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution. It was only after a second complaint was received in 2017, involving a different victim, a different time period, and a different location at Yordas Cave, that authorities were able to connect the cases. The details of the abuse in both instances were strikingly similar, which helped investigators build a case.

Subsequently, the original victim was re-contacted, and both cases were presented to the Crown Prosecution Service. This ultimately led to charges being brought against Boardman. DC Graham emphasized the importance of the victims’ bravery, stating, “The victims of Boardman’s offences have waited decades to receive justice. Both admit that the abuse they suffered as children has damaged them in later life. I thank them for their bravery in coming forward and I hope they will now finally be able to begin putting this terrible experience behind them.”