FREDERICK DENTON'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN BRADFORD: 14-YEAR SENTENCE FOR ABUSE AND THREATS
In August 2019, a chilling case unfolded in Bradford involving Frederick Denton, a man whose actions have left a lasting scar on his victims.Denton, aged 63, was found guilty of multiple heinous crimes committed over a span of more than a decade, dating from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s.
His conviction followed a rigorous two-week trial during which the jury deliberated on several charges related to the sexual abuse of two young girls.
At Bradford Crown Court, the proceedings revealed the disturbing details of Denton’s misconduct.
The court heard that one of his victims, a girl aged just six or seven at the time, was subjected to inappropriate acts when Denton rubbed cream on her private parts for his own sexual gratification.
The abuse escalated as Denton forced her to masturbate him on at least two separate occasions.
The second complainant, who was between 14 and 15 years old at the time, was also victimized.
Denton, intoxicated during some of these incidents, groped her breasts and coerced her into masturbating him at least twice.
During the trial, a victim personal statement was read aloud, revealing the profound psychological impact Denton’s actions have had on her.
She described her ongoing feelings of anxiety and stress, likening her emotional state to “living a prison sentence.” She expressed her lingering fear of Denton, stating, “He is evil, very evil,” and shared her distress over his threats to run her over with his car if she ever disclosed the abuse.
Despite the passage of time, she admitted she remains frightened of him.
Additional evidence presented in court detailed a violent incident where Denton physically assaulted the older girl.
He reportedly dragged her by the hair and kicked her repeatedly, causing facial bruising and lasting injuries.
Such violence underscored the pattern of Denton’s abusive behavior.
It was also disclosed that Denton had a prior conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, highlighting a history of violent conduct.
Throughout the trial, it was noted that Denton’s wife stood by his side, providing him with support amid the proceedings.
The court was informed that Denton’s criminal behavior involved six separate offences of indecent assault, with some charges covering multiple incidents of abuse.
The jury was unable to reach verdicts on three counts of rape, leading the prosecution to request formal not guilty verdicts on those charges.
Judge Neil Davey QC delivered a stern sentence, condemning Denton’s actions and emphasizing the severity of his crimes.
He ordered Denton to sign the sex offender register for the remainder of his life and imposed a lifelong restraining order to prevent any contact with his victims.
The judge highlighted the terror inflicted upon the girls, noting Denton’s threats to run one of them over as a clear indication of his malicious intent.
The court’s decision reflects the gravity of Denton’s offenses and the lasting damage caused to his victims in Bradford.
