DAVID HUME FROM RILLINGTON AND SKIPTON SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN CRAVEN

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Rillington and Skipton, a man named David Hume has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing young girls in the Craven district. The sentencing took place at Bradford Crown Court, where the severity of Hume’s actions and the profound impact on his victims were thoroughly detailed.

David Hume, aged 56 and currently residing at Station Cottages in Rillington, near York, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving four young girls. The offences spanned several years during which Hume, a single man, exploited the trust placed in him by the children’s families. Court proceedings revealed that Hume had successfully gained the confidence of the parents, allowing him to become a trusted figure in their lives and, subsequently, to carry out his abusive acts.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC addressed the court, emphasizing the devastating effects of Hume’s actions. He highlighted that victim impact statements presented during the trial painted a harrowing picture of the emotional and psychological damage inflicted upon the victims. The judge described Hume as a man with “no moral compass whatsoever,” and characterized his behavior as driven by dark, paedophilic tendencies. The court heard that Hume had groomed the children and their families, then introduced the young victims to depraved acts that he derived pleasure from.

Hume pleaded guilty to a total of 12 charges, which included indecent assault and indecency with a child. The offences involved victims whose ages ranged from as young as four to as old as eleven. Prosecutor Oliver Thorne detailed the extent of the abuse, revealing that one victim had been subjected to abuse nearly every other day over a period of years. The court was also informed that two of the girls had come forward to report the abuse, leading to Hume’s arrest. Initially, Hume denied any involvement, but subsequent police investigations uncovered two additional victims, confirming the widespread nature of his crimes.

Further testimony revealed the long-lasting effects of Hume’s actions. One victim reportedly experienced marital difficulties following the abuse, while another suffered from anorexia, engaged in self-harm, and struggled with low self-esteem. These accounts underscored the profound and enduring trauma inflicted by Hume’s predatory behavior.

Representing Hume, Timothy Jacobs, stated that there had been no other offending before or after these incidents and emphasized that his client had pleaded guilty, accepting responsibility for his actions. The court’s decision to impose an eight-year sentence reflects the gravity of the crimes committed and the need to protect the community from such predatory behavior.