Bradford man jailed for child sex offences after travelling to Sheffield to abuse young girls

BRADFORD MAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AFTER TRAVELLING TO SHEFFIELD TO ABUSE YOUNG GIRLS

A would-be child abuser has been jailed after he travelled from Bradford to Sheffield, believing that he was going to sexually abuse a four-year-old girl and her baby sister.

Bradford pensioner Hugh Galashan, 62, had coordinated the visit in May through online chats and a face-to-face meeting with a woman he thought was the girls' mother.

However, during the trial at Bradford Crown Court, it was revealed that the woman was an undercover police officer.

Galashan was arrested in Sheffield as he approached what he believed was her home.

He was found carrying a bag with Maltesers intended for the four-year-old and a bottle of red wine.

After a trial in September, Galashan was convicted of 13 charges relating to planning multiple sex offences against the children.

Judge Jonathan Gibson stated that although the children were not real, Galashan had gone significantly along the path to meeting them and was caught at the last moment.

His barrister, Matthew Harding, mentioned that this would be his client's first time in custody, and noted that he had served in the army and done charity work.

Galashan was sentenced to four years in prison and given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order; he must also register as a sex offender for life.

The judge pointed out that Galashan had discussed penetrative sex with the children during conversations with the officer, and remarked that the jury found he intended to commit these offences if able.

The courtroom heard that he was in denial about his crimes, but the evidence and verdicts showed his intent.

Galashan's imprisonment was considered a last-minute interception before any harm was done.