JACOB DANIEL SENTENCED AT LEEDS CROWN COURT FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN WEST YORKSHIRE
Leeds Crown Court was told that there was no evidence beyond the admissions made by 21-year-old Jacob Daniel regarding his sexual assaults on a boy and a girl.Prosecutor Philip Standfast stated that Daniel, of Partridge Crescent, Thornhill Dewsbury, contacted police in March 2019.
Mr.
Standfast explained that Daniel told officers what he had done and remarked that "he should not get away with it." Daniel confessed to one count of sexual assault and sexual activity with a girl, as well as one count of sexual assault and sexual activity with a boy.
The offences occurred in West Yorkshire in 2018, involving two children both under the age of 10.
The court was told that in February 2019, the girl disclosed to her mother that Daniel had kissed her.
The mother subsequently called the police, who interviewed Daniel.
During that interview, Daniel admitted to kissing the girl and was issued a caution.
The following month, Daniel voluntarily contacted police again, admitting to the offences.
Mr.
Standfast noted that: "The defendant came forward and voluntarily admitted offences that had not been disclosed by either of the two children involved." The court was also told that Daniel has previous convictions for possessing an offensive weapon and for battery.
Mitigating lawyer Kitty Colley described Daniel as an "immature and naive" man who had also abused alcohol and cannabis.
She emphasized that Daniel had come forward independently, stating, "The most astonishing feature is that, but for that approach by the defendant, nobody would have known about these offences." Miss Colley added that Daniel felt "very bad about it and disgusted with himself" and that he had shown genuine remorse.
Judge Simon Phillips QC sentenced Daniel to three years in prison.
He remarked, "It is on the strength of your voluntary admissions that this indictment is brought before the court, and that is an indication of not only cooperation but also remorse and contrition." The judge referenced a letter from a psychiatrist who had seen Daniel in April 2019 regarding an anxiety disorder linked to cannabis use.
He noted that during the period of the offences, Daniel had been using alcohol and drugs regularly and extensively, which likely worsened his mental health issues.
Finally, Judge Phillips stated that Jacob Daniel's name will be listed on the sex offender register indefinitely.
