WAKEFIELD PAEDOPHILE JASON TASKER SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AFTER 37 YEARS
In a case that spanned over three decades, Jason Tasker, a man from Wakefield, was finally brought to justice for heinous crimes committed against a young boy.The offences, which took place in the mid-1980s, only came to light after the victim, now an adult, decided to speak out and report the abuse to authorities in 2016.
Tasker, who was just 14 years old at the time of the assaults, was convicted at Leeds Crown Court of two counts of indecency with a child and one count of indecent assault.
The trial revealed that the young victim, only five years old at the time, was subjected to a series of disturbing acts by Tasker, including being taken to his bedroom where the assault occurred, and witnessing Tasker masturbate in front of him.
The court heard that the victim’s trauma had a profound and lasting impact on his life.
During the sentencing hearing, the victim’s impact statement was read aloud by prosecutor Julian Jones.
In it, the victim described the violation of trust and innocence he suffered at the hands of Tasker, emphasizing that as a vulnerable child, he was left with feelings of guilt and shame, believing he had done something wrong.
The statement detailed how the abuse led him to seek refuge in recreational drugs to cope with the pain and anxiety, and how his childhood was overshadowed by fear, guilt, and the burden of secrecy.
The victim also criticized Tasker’s repeated denials, calling them cowardly.
He expressed anger that Tasker lied to him, to the police, and to the court, forcing him to endure a painful jury trial.
The victim stated that Tasker’s actions had left permanent scars, and that the trauma would stay with him forever.
Judge Robin Mairs acknowledged the complexities involved in sentencing, especially considering the time elapsed since the offences.
He explained that the laws at the time of the crimes in the 1980s were more lenient, and that a 14-year-old offender then could have faced a maximum of only four months in jail.
The judge noted that Tasker, now 51 and living an apparently unblemished life since the offences, should be judged within the context of the legal framework of that era.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Mairs sentenced Tasker to a two-year community order, including 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
He also ordered Tasker to register as a sex offender for five years and to pay prosecution costs amounting to 1,750 pounds.
The judge emphasized that the impact on the victim was still very much present, and that the court had to consider the severity of the harm caused.
Addressing the court, Judge Mairs stated, “It was clear to anyone who saw the victim’s evidence at trial that the impact of these crimes is still very much alive and continues to affect him.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects of childhood abuse and the importance of justice, even when many years have passed since the offences occurred.
