DAVID CARROLL FROM SALTAIRE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BINGLEY

In November 2012, a man named David Carroll, residing on Park Avenue in Saltaire, was sentenced to a 12-month jail term after being found guilty of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. The incident took place after Carroll lured the young girl, whom he had met in a local park in the Bingley area, with the promise of a refreshing drink.

According to court proceedings, Carroll approached the girl in the park and offered her a Sprite, which she accepted. The girl later reported feeling strange after drinking the beverage, suspecting that it had been spiked with vodka. She recounted that she lost her shoes while under the influence, and Carroll offered to help her find them. The court heard that Carroll then led her down a narrow alleyway, known locally as a snicket, where he made sexual suggestions to her.

During this encounter, Carroll engaged in a sexual act on himself while the girl was on the ground. He also asked her to perform a sex act on him, which she refused. Despite her initial denial of any inappropriate activity, her mother grew suspicious and contacted the police, leading to Carroll’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Carroll pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a minor, claiming that the act was consensual and that he was unaware of her age at the time. His defense, represented by barrister Rebecca Young, emphasized that Carroll was a binge drinker and was under the influence of alcohol during the incident. She also highlighted that Carroll did not have any particular interest in young girls and that his actions were out of character. Additionally, Young pointed out that Carroll was the sole carer for his ailing father and that his partner had recently given birth to their child.

Judge Neil Clark addressed the court, stating that only immediate imprisonment was appropriate in this case. He emphasized the importance of protecting children from such offenses and underscored the community’s expectation that the courts take firm action against offenders. As part of his sentence, Carroll was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was placed under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to monitor his conduct moving forward.