JOHN LAISTER: ABINGDON, BRADFORD, LEEDS, AND SCARBOROUGH CHILD SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED IN YORK

In a series of disturbing developments spanning several decades, John Laister, a man with a long history of sexual offenses against minors, has faced multiple convictions and additional sentencing in connection with his heinous crimes. The latest sentencing occurred at York Crown Court, where Laister, aged 83, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a young boy at a care home in Scarborough during the 1970s, leading to an additional 18 months behind bars.

Previously, Laister had been sentenced to 14 years in 2014 after being convicted of raping and abusing children at a care facility in Bramhope, Leeds, as well as at a church in Bradford. His criminal activities did not stop there; in 2019, he received a further 11-year prison sentence for additional sexual offenses committed against young girls. These crimes spanned over several decades, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that persisted despite prior convictions.

The police in North Yorkshire have been actively investigating Laister’s extensive criminal history. They stated that Laister, who was formerly residing in Sunningwell, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, had egregiously betrayed the trust placed in him as a caretaker. His actions, they emphasized, were driven by selfish sexual motives, exploiting the vulnerability of his victims.

According to Detective Constable Ali Morris, the most recent victim was a boy who was particularly vulnerable, having recently undergone major surgery. Laister, working as a houseparent at May Lodge children’s home in Scarborough at the time, assaulted the boy while he was in a fragile state of recovery. The detective highlighted the tragic circumstances, noting that the child lacked a supportive family figure—no mother or father he could confide in—and was therefore especially susceptible to exploitation.

Det Con Morris further explained that Laister, fully aware of the child's vulnerable background, deliberately targeted him, perceiving him as an easy target for his predatory desires. The police’s investigation into Laister’s past crimes was extensive, beginning in 2014, and uncovered additional offenders who worked alongside him at May Lodge. Maurice Berry, aged 64 from North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, and Ray Vasey, aged 72 from Darlington, were also convicted and sentenced to 13 and 17 years respectively for abusing multiple young girls during the same period.

Looking back at his earlier convictions, Laister was initially sentenced in September 2014 at Bradford Crown Court for his involvement in the sexual abuse of young girls. He was found guilty of three counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault, and four counts of indecency with a child. The judge described him as a “sexual predator of monstrous proportions,” emphasizing the severity of his crimes. Some of these offenses occurred over 40 years ago, when he was working at the now-closed Hilton Grange children’s home in Bramhope, Leeds, and at a church in Bradford.

During that trial, Laister, then 72 and residing in Sunningwell, Oxfordshire, admitted to four counts of indecent assault. His criminal conduct extended beyond the care home, as he continued to abuse young girls while serving as a Sunday school teacher at the Thorpe Edge Evangelical Church in Bradford. The court heard that one of his victims, who had suffered an epileptic fit after giving evidence via videolink, was among those who had endured his abuse.

North Yorkshire Police expressed their gratitude to the victims who came forward, acknowledging that their bravery helped bring Laister to justice. Detective Constable Naomi Brown underscored that Laister exploited the innocence and vulnerabilities of his victims over many years, and she hoped that the lengthy sentences would provide some measure of closure for those affected. The police’s ongoing efforts to hold him accountable reflect their commitment to protecting children and ensuring justice is served for all victims involved.