DONALD ROONEY FROM DEWSBURY AND OSSETT SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN WAKEFIELD

In a case that has shocked the communities of Dewsbury and Ossett, Donald Rooney, a man with a troubling history of involvement in care work and youth activities, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses involving a young boy. The sentencing took place at Leeds Crown Court, bringing closure to a harrowing ordeal for the victim and his family.

Rooney, aged 59 and residing on Sowood Avenue in Ossett, Wakefield, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes that spanned over several years. The court heard that Rooney, who had previously worked as a care worker at York House in Ossett from 1974 to 1990, and had also been involved in youth clubs, exploited his position of trust to prey on a young boy. The victim, who was around four years old when Rooney first befriended his family, endured systematic sexual abuse from the ages of nine to eleven. Rooney’s manipulative behavior included showering the boy with gifts, taking him on holidays, and falsely professing his love for him.

Following the four-day trial earlier this month, Rooney was convicted on multiple counts, including three charges of rape of a boy under 16, three counts of gross indecency, and three counts of indecent assault. The court also found him guilty of inciting the boy to engage in sexual activity during his teenage years. The prosecution, led by Jeremy Richardson QC, highlighted the profound impact of Rooney’s actions, noting that the victim, now 15, struggles with trust issues, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. In a statement read aloud in court, the boy expressed his ongoing fears, stating, “I’m anxious most of the time and can’t sleep. I worry about going out in case somebody does something to me.”

Detective Constable Kristy Lindley of West Yorkshire Police’s child protection unit commented on the case, saying, “A dangerous predator has been taken off our streets. This has been an ordeal for the family who have now received the justice they deserve.”

In addition to the convictions related to sexual abuse, Rooney was also found guilty of possessing a large collection of indecent images of children—specifically, 2,608 images and videos. These included scenes depicting adults engaging in sexual acts with children as young as four years old. Rooney had previously pleaded guilty to this possession at an earlier hearing.

The court heard that Rooney’s employment history included working as an engineer in Batley, after his tenure at York House. His criminal record and ongoing behavior prompted the judge, Alastair McCallum, to impose a severe sentence. Rooney was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with an additional four-year extended license period. Furthermore, the judge issued an indefinite order prohibiting Rooney from having any contact, direct or indirect, with anyone under the age of 16, unless it is purely incidental.

As part of the court’s ruling, Rooney’s name has been permanently added to the Sex Offenders’ Register, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who abuse positions of trust and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children in communities like Dewsbury, Ossett, and Wakefield.