EDWARD ADAMS FROM HORBURY, WAKEFIELD, SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE IN REMOTE LOCATIONS

In August 2014, a 76-year-old man named Edward Adams from Horbury, Wakefield, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 11 years after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving a young girl. The case revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that took place over several weeks, during which Adams targeted a 12-year-old girl during trips to secluded areas.

Adams first assaulted the girl in a remote woodland area within Wakefield, where the assaults began in a secluded part of the forest. The judge presiding over the case, Geoffrey Marson, described the nature of the grooming process, noting that Adams initially engaged the girl with stories of a sexual nature, which gradually escalated into physical abuse. The judge emphasized the terrifying circumstances faced by the young victim, who felt trapped in the isolated environment with no immediate means of escape or assistance.

During the trial at Leeds Crown Court, it was established that Adams, who resided on John Carr Avenue in Horbury, had been entrusted by the girl’s family to take her on trips. However, he kept these outings secret from his wife, instructing the girl to duck down in his car whenever they approached the homes of his relatives, in an attempt to conceal his actions. Over the course of several weeks, Adams repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl during these trips, exploiting her trust and vulnerability.

The court heard that Adams had told the frightened and confused girl that if she told anyone about what was happening, she would get into more trouble than he would, and that her claims would not be believed. This manipulation was intended to silence her and prevent her from reporting the abuse. Eventually, the girl confided in her mother, revealing her reluctance to continue going on trips with Adams and disclosing some of the abuse she had endured. Her mother promptly contacted the police, leading to Adams’s arrest and subsequent trial.

Despite maintaining his innocence during the proceedings, Adams was convicted of two counts of rape of a child under 13, three counts of sexual assault, and two counts of inciting a child under 13 to commit a sexual offense. The court noted that Adams had made some limited admissions of guilt following the trial, which he expressed a desire to build on, indicating some remorse and motivation to change. However, Judge Marson expressed regret that Adams did not make these admissions earlier, before the trial commenced.

The impact of the abuse on the young girl was vividly illustrated through a victim impact statement, in which she described experiencing flashbacks, shaking, and crying when reminded of the incidents. The judge acknowledged the profound psychological harm inflicted upon her, stating that it was unlikely she would ever fully recover from the trauma.

In mitigation, Matthew Harding highlighted Adams’s age, noting that he was 76 years old and in relatively good health, and argued that incarceration would be particularly difficult for someone of his age. Nonetheless, the court’s decision reflected the severity of the crimes committed and the need for justice for the young victim.