JOHN CATTERSON'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN HUDDERSFIELD LEAD TO 32-MONTH SENTENCE

John Catterson, a man with a long and troubling history of sexual offenses dating back to the late 1970s, has been sentenced to a prison term of 32 months following his conviction for heinous crimes involving two nine-year-old girls in Huddersfield. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Catterson's actions and the circumstances surrounding his offenses.

According to court records, Catterson, aged 57, resided in Westgate, Almondbury, where he shared his home with his wife. Over a period of time, he used various manipulative tactics to groom the young girls, including offering them sweets, ice-cream, and inviting them to play pool, all in an effort to gain their trust. These visits took place at his residence, which was located merely 100 yards from Almondbury CE Infant School, a proximity that heightened concerns about the safety of children in the area.

During these encounters, Catterson's behavior escalated to criminal acts. He attempted to coerce one of the girls into touching him and engaged in a sexual act in front of both girls. The victims' parents, who believed their children were visiting a friend, only discovered the true nature of their daughters' visits last October. This revelation prompted immediate police action and subsequent arrests.

Following his arrest, Catterson admitted to committing one count of sexual assault on a girl under the age of 13 and another count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. Despite the severity of his actions and the danger he posed, the judge, Jonathan Durham Hall, explained that recent legislative changes limited the maximum sentence he could impose. As a result, Catterson was sentenced to 32 months in prison, a relatively short term given the gravity of his crimes.

It was also disclosed that Catterson has a prior conviction record that includes indecent exposure and other sex-related offenses. At the time of the latest offenses, he was already under a three-year community order, which underscores the ongoing risk he represented. The judge described him as 'an untreatable sexual predator,' emphasizing the seriousness of his predatory behavior. However, due to new sentencing guidelines, the court was constrained from imposing a longer, indeterminate sentence that might have better protected the community.

In addition to his prison sentence, Catterson will be subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order and is required to register as a sex offender for life. The court also acknowledged the profound impact his crimes have had on the victims' families. One mother described how her daughter now suffers from nightmares and has lost the ability to enjoy normal childhood activities, illustrating the lasting trauma inflicted by Catterson's actions.

Judge Durham Hall expressed regret that he could not impose harsher penalties, stating that the community's safety was of paramount concern. Nonetheless, the legal constraints and recent legislative reforms have limited the court's options, leaving a sense of frustration over the inability to deliver a more severe punishment for Catterson's disturbing and dangerous conduct.