LEE HORSLEY FROM BLACKPOOL SENTENCED AFTER EIGHT-YEAR DELAY FOR SEX OFFENCE IN BRADFORD

In a case that spanned over eight years, justice has finally been served for a man accused of indecently assaulting a teenager in Bradford. Lee Horsley, aged 35, faced the court after a lengthy legal process that saw significant delays and developments.

The incident in question occurred in 1998, when Horsley was initially arrested and taken into custody at Halifax police station in September of that year. Despite the arrest and subsequent questioning, Horsley failed to appear for his scheduled trial the following year, leading to a period of legal uncertainty and concern.

It was only recently that Horsley's whereabouts were successfully traced to Blackpool, where he had been living and working for the past eight years. His location was confirmed after authorities intensified their efforts to locate him, and he was eventually brought back into the legal fold. During this period, Horsley’s barrister, Robin Frieze, informed the court that his client had been residing on Litchfield Road in Blackpool and had been employed there.

In a development that occurred last month, Horsley was sentenced to 56 days in prison for breaching his bail conditions. This breach was a significant factor in the ongoing legal proceedings, but it did not overshadow the fact that Horsley had admitted to the original offence. The court heard that Horsley, who had previously failed to appear, had now expressed a desire to resolve the matter.

Judge Stephen Gullick, the Recorder of Bradford, presided over the case and was informed that Horsley had, at some point, buried his head in the sand, avoiding the legal process. However, after his arrest, Horsley appeared to want to address the charges against him. His lawyer, Mr. Frieze, explained that Horsley had pleaded guilty to the offence, although it was unclear whether the prosecution still intended to pursue a trial.

Mr. Frieze also suggested that the assault on the teenage girl might be viewed as an isolated incident or “an aberration” in what he described as Horsley's largely blameless life. Despite this, the court had to consider the seriousness of the offence and the impact on the victim.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Gullick acknowledged Horsley's plea, his relatively good character, and the time he had already spent in prison for breaching bail. Taking all these factors into account, the judge decided that a community-based penalty was appropriate. Horsley was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years, participate in a sex-offender rehabilitation program, and was also disqualified from working with children indefinitely. This comprehensive sentence aimed to address both the severity of the offence and the need for public safety.