HARROGATE MAN JAILED FOR 16 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT

A man from North Yorkshire who was convicted of rape and sexual assault against a young girl has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. The offender, Carl Darren Briggs, 43, from Harrogate, was also ordered to a two-year extended period on license and has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register. The case was brought to trial after the victim confided in family members, leading to Briggs’ arrest in June 2021 following police investigations. The jury learned how the victim only recognized the abusive nature of Briggs’ actions after learning about the human body in school. During her victim personal statement, she expressed her distress, stating: “I no longer feel good about myself, do not like the way I look, or feel nice in anything I wear. I feel different, cannot explain to my friends why I do not want to be around them, or why I cry without anything being said to me. I just want to feel happy about myself, and my family to be happy, but it will not be because everything has changed. I have changed since this terrible ordeal, and I feel that I will never be the same person again.” Her mother also described how she cannot sleep at night, feeling like she “missed everything” and calling the experience a “living nightmare.” Evidence included interviews, disclosures to counselors, and examination of digital devices. Briggs faced three charges: two counts of rape of a child under 13 and sexual assault on a child under 13 by touching. Despite denying the charges, he was convicted and sentenced on March 1. Detective Constable Rebecca Prentice praised the victim’s bravery, saying: “The victim in this case has showed immense strength and bravery at such a young age, not only in reporting the horrific abuse she endured but to seeing through the lengthy investigation and court case. I commend her dignity, tenacity, and determination in coming forward and thank her for helping to bring her perpetrator to justice. Without her, the case would not have been successful. She has suffered in silence for many years but hopefully the outcome at court will bring both her and her family some closure now that Briggs is behind bars.” The police encourage victims to report rape or sexual assault through confidential channels and available support organizations.