GRAHAM BARBER FROM ANGLESEY AND HUDDERSFIELD SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD RAPE AND ABUSE CASE

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Graham Barber, a man with ties to both Anglesey and Huddersfield, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault and rape. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the abuse inflicted upon a young girl, which persisted over a four-year period more than 30 years ago.

Graham Barber, aged 77 and residing on Causeway Crescent in Huddersfield at the time of sentencing, was brought before Caernarfon Crown Court to face justice. Although he showed no visible emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence, the court heard a harrowing account from his victim, who provided a detailed and credible testimony about the abuse she endured during her early teens. The victim, now in her late 40s, recounted how Barber’s actions had profoundly affected her life.

The presiding judge, Huw Rees, emphasized the vulnerability of the victim, highlighting her young age at the time of the abuse. He condemned Barber’s actions as a persistent campaign of sexual violence carried out to satisfy his perverted desires. The court found Barber guilty of five counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault following a four-day trial. However, the jury acquitted him of three additional charges of rape.

During the trial, it was revealed that Barber had previously admitted to three charges of indecent assault against the girl, who was in her early teens when the abuse occurred. The prosecution, led by Elen Owen, detailed that some of the offences took place in a vehicle owned by Barber, adding a layer of complexity to the case. The police had initially been made aware of Barber’s misconduct in 1998, but no action was taken at that time. It was only in early 2015 that the victim, now an adult, formally reported the abuse in a comprehensive written statement.

The court sentenced Barber to serve concurrent terms of 17 years for each of the rape charges, reflecting the severity of his crimes. Additionally, he received concurrent sentences of up to 16 months for the indecent assaults. The judge’s decision underscores the gravity of the offences and the need for justice to be served for the victim, whose courage in coming forward was acknowledged during the proceedings.