KELVIN YOUNG'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN CROXBY AND HEBDEN BRIDGE REVEALED
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Hebden Bridge Croxby Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Croxby and Hebden Bridge, Kelvin Young, a former teacher and preacher, has been convicted and sentenced for heinous child sex offenses that span over four decades. The 65-year-old, once a respected figure in his local community, was sentenced to three years in prison after a lengthy investigation uncovered his disturbing history of abuse and exploitation.
Young, who previously worked as a teacher at Croxby Primary School in Cottingham, was found guilty of abusing two young boys under his care during the 1970s. The court heard that his misconduct included indecent assaults on one boy aged between ten and eleven, which occurred in his bedroom during a school trip to the Yorkshire Dales. The assault was particularly humiliating as it took place in front of other pupils, with Young placing his legs between the boy’s and fondling him over his school shorts while he read aloud in class.
The second victim, a boy aged seven or eight at the time, was subjected to indecent acts twice in front of classmates after Young brought him to the front of the classroom to read. During these incidents, Young had placed his legs between the boy’s and touched him over his shorts, an act that left the young victim deeply traumatized. Young had cultivated a relationship with the boy’s parents, promising to coach him in sports, but abruptly ended the coaching sessions and ceased praising the boy after he refused to read aloud a third time. These offenses took place between September 1, 1974, and July 31, 1976, with the victim only reporting the abuse to police in April of this year after reading about Young’s previous assaults on another individual, Mr. Hannam, in the Mail.
Another victim, who courageously waived his right to anonymity, revealed that he was indecently assaulted by Young between September 1, 1988, and August 31, 1989. This incident occurred during a school trip to Hebden Bridge, where Young led a group of children. The victim, now 36, described how the abuse happened in a bedroom while another boy was sleeping, and expressed his desire for justice and for other potential victims to come forward.
The court also examined the disturbing discovery of 237 indecent images of children on Young’s seized laptop. The images depicted children in erotic poses, along with four images showing children engaged in non-penetrative sexual activities. Judge John Potter, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Young’s actions, stating, “These offences suggest you have, in my view, a long-standing interest in the abuse of children, both in terms of abusing children themselves or viewing the abuse of children.” The judge highlighted that the incident involving the classroom assault was particularly humiliating for the young victim, given the public nature of the act.
Following the sentencing, a victim, aged 36, attended court with his mother and expressed relief that Young had been sentenced, though he also shared feelings of anger and pain. His mother added that she was relieved Young was no longer a threat to other children and hoped her son could now begin to move forward with his life. Before his arrest, Young was regarded as a pillar of the community, actively involved as a lay preacher at the Zion United Reformed Church in Hallgate, Cottingham, and working with the North York Moors National Park as a Moors bus coordinator, assistant ranger, and volunteer ranger. He has since been suspended and resigned from all these roles, following his arrest and the allegations.
Kevin Hall, director of children and family services at East Riding Council, expressed his satisfaction that justice was finally served after years of delay. He condemned Young’s betrayal of trust and emphasized the importance of safeguarding procedures, which have been strengthened over recent years to prevent similar incidents. The Rev Simon Swailes, representing the United Reformed Church, issued a statement reaffirming the church’s commitment to child safety, clarifying that Young was no longer involved in any church activities related to children or youth work, and underscoring the church’s robust safeguarding policies.
In a separate hearing in June 2014, Young, who was 64 at the time, admitted to additional child sex offenses dating back nearly 40 years. He pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault against a boy under 14, relating to the same period as earlier offenses, and also admitted to making indecent photographs of children. These admissions came during proceedings at Beverley Magistrates’ Court and Bradford Crown Court, where he was scheduled for sentencing on June 19. Young appeared in court wearing a white shirt and pale brown striped tie, confirming his identity and address in Skidby. The victim of these latest offenses, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had previously spoken out, revealing how Young’s abuse had devastated his life, leading to years of substance abuse, depression, and homelessness.
Paul Hannam, now 36, described the lasting impact of Young’s abuse, recounting how the incident occurred during a school trip to Hebden Bridge when he was just nine years old. He detailed how Young entered the room where he was sleeping, and how the trauma from that event haunted him for years. Hannam expressed his hope that justice would finally be served and urged other victims to come forward. His account highlighted the profound and lasting damage inflicted by Young, who was once a respected community figure but is now recognized as a predatory individual who betrayed the trust placed in him by pupils, parents, and the community at large.
Young, who previously worked as a teacher at Croxby Primary School in Cottingham, was found guilty of abusing two young boys under his care during the 1970s. The court heard that his misconduct included indecent assaults on one boy aged between ten and eleven, which occurred in his bedroom during a school trip to the Yorkshire Dales. The assault was particularly humiliating as it took place in front of other pupils, with Young placing his legs between the boy’s and fondling him over his school shorts while he read aloud in class.
The second victim, a boy aged seven or eight at the time, was subjected to indecent acts twice in front of classmates after Young brought him to the front of the classroom to read. During these incidents, Young had placed his legs between the boy’s and touched him over his shorts, an act that left the young victim deeply traumatized. Young had cultivated a relationship with the boy’s parents, promising to coach him in sports, but abruptly ended the coaching sessions and ceased praising the boy after he refused to read aloud a third time. These offenses took place between September 1, 1974, and July 31, 1976, with the victim only reporting the abuse to police in April of this year after reading about Young’s previous assaults on another individual, Mr. Hannam, in the Mail.
Another victim, who courageously waived his right to anonymity, revealed that he was indecently assaulted by Young between September 1, 1988, and August 31, 1989. This incident occurred during a school trip to Hebden Bridge, where Young led a group of children. The victim, now 36, described how the abuse happened in a bedroom while another boy was sleeping, and expressed his desire for justice and for other potential victims to come forward.
The court also examined the disturbing discovery of 237 indecent images of children on Young’s seized laptop. The images depicted children in erotic poses, along with four images showing children engaged in non-penetrative sexual activities. Judge John Potter, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Young’s actions, stating, “These offences suggest you have, in my view, a long-standing interest in the abuse of children, both in terms of abusing children themselves or viewing the abuse of children.” The judge highlighted that the incident involving the classroom assault was particularly humiliating for the young victim, given the public nature of the act.
Following the sentencing, a victim, aged 36, attended court with his mother and expressed relief that Young had been sentenced, though he also shared feelings of anger and pain. His mother added that she was relieved Young was no longer a threat to other children and hoped her son could now begin to move forward with his life. Before his arrest, Young was regarded as a pillar of the community, actively involved as a lay preacher at the Zion United Reformed Church in Hallgate, Cottingham, and working with the North York Moors National Park as a Moors bus coordinator, assistant ranger, and volunteer ranger. He has since been suspended and resigned from all these roles, following his arrest and the allegations.
Kevin Hall, director of children and family services at East Riding Council, expressed his satisfaction that justice was finally served after years of delay. He condemned Young’s betrayal of trust and emphasized the importance of safeguarding procedures, which have been strengthened over recent years to prevent similar incidents. The Rev Simon Swailes, representing the United Reformed Church, issued a statement reaffirming the church’s commitment to child safety, clarifying that Young was no longer involved in any church activities related to children or youth work, and underscoring the church’s robust safeguarding policies.
In a separate hearing in June 2014, Young, who was 64 at the time, admitted to additional child sex offenses dating back nearly 40 years. He pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault against a boy under 14, relating to the same period as earlier offenses, and also admitted to making indecent photographs of children. These admissions came during proceedings at Beverley Magistrates’ Court and Bradford Crown Court, where he was scheduled for sentencing on June 19. Young appeared in court wearing a white shirt and pale brown striped tie, confirming his identity and address in Skidby. The victim of these latest offenses, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had previously spoken out, revealing how Young’s abuse had devastated his life, leading to years of substance abuse, depression, and homelessness.
Paul Hannam, now 36, described the lasting impact of Young’s abuse, recounting how the incident occurred during a school trip to Hebden Bridge when he was just nine years old. He detailed how Young entered the room where he was sleeping, and how the trauma from that event haunted him for years. Hannam expressed his hope that justice would finally be served and urged other victims to come forward. His account highlighted the profound and lasting damage inflicted by Young, who was once a respected community figure but is now recognized as a predatory individual who betrayed the trust placed in him by pupils, parents, and the community at large.