GRAHAM DUNSTAN FROM KEIGHLEY SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN BRADFORD

In April 2017, a deeply disturbing case unfolded at Bradford Crown Court involving Graham Dunstan, a 67-year-old man from Main Street, Stanbury, Keighley. Dunstan was convicted of a series of heinous crimes against a young girl, whom he sexually abused repeatedly over a period when she was between four and six years old. The court heard that Dunstan’s actions were characterized by a relentless pattern of grooming and exploitation, during which he used sweets as a means to lure and manipulate the vulnerable child.

Prosecutor Matthew Bean detailed the extent of the abuse, revealing that Dunstan called the girl a liar after she confided in her mother about what had happened. The court was presented with a poignant statement from the girl’s mother, who expressed the profound and lasting impact of the trauma on her family. She stated, “It really breaks my heart that my daughter feels so guilty about telling the truth,” highlighting the emotional toll inflicted by Dunstan’s actions.

The court heard that Dunstan’s grooming behavior included taking the young girl to a local sweet shop, where he continued to manipulate her. The jury found Dunstan guilty of seven counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13, a conviction that underscores the severity of his misconduct. Throughout the proceedings, Dunstan sat in the dock, flanked by security officers, showing no visible remorse as the verdict was delivered.

During sentencing, Dunstan’s defense lawyer, Mark Brookes, urged the judge to consider a sentence that would allow the defendant to serve time without the risk of dying in prison, arguing that a lengthy sentence might be excessively harsh given Dunstan’s age. However, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC dismissed these pleas, emphasizing that Dunstan’s age and lack of prior convictions were irrelevant in light of the gravity of his crimes. The judge stated, “You relentlessly abused her, and whether 37 or 67, you knew how terribly wrong it was.”

Addressing Dunstan directly, the judge condemned his actions, describing the abuse as “every mother’s nightmare” and emphasizing the vulnerability of the young girl. The judge remarked that Dunstan’s denial and refusal to accept responsibility were staggering, calling him “evil” and condemning his attempt to blame the victim and her family as a conspiracy.

Ultimately, Judge Durham Hall sentenced Dunstan to 12 years in prison, with an additional year on extended license. He also imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which is indefinite, prohibiting Dunstan from contacting the child, residing at the same address as any girl under 16, or having unsupervised contact with any underage girl. Furthermore, Dunstan is required to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.