LIAM O’GRADY, OSBALDWICK KARATE STAR, SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN YORK

In a case that has shocked the local community of Osbaldwick and the wider York area, Liam O’Grady, a renowned international karate champion, was sentenced to five years in prison for serious sexual offenses involving a 13-year-old girl. The conviction was handed down at York Crown Court, where the court found O’Grady guilty of multiple charges, including sexual grooming of a minor and engaging in three separate acts of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Stephen Ashurst delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the gravity of O’Grady’s breach of trust. He stated that the defendant had egregiously violated the trust placed in him by the girl’s parents, highlighting the betrayal involved in such a case. The judge also remarked that if the sexual activity had commenced when the girl was only 12 years old, the appropriate charge would have been rape, underscoring the severity of the misconduct.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that O’Grady, who resides in Larchfield, York, had sent nearly 5,000 text messages to the young girl, many containing sexual content and explicit images of himself. The court heard that the abuse took place in various locations, including O’Grady’s home, his car, and even in men’s toilets, illustrating a pattern of predatory behavior.

O’Grady, who has achieved notable success in the martial arts world with gold medals at both European and world levels, was also known for his work teaching karate to hundreds of children in York. Despite his sporting achievements and community contributions, the court found that he was still in denial about the gravity of his actions. Judge Ashurst pointed out that O’Grady had received numerous testimonials praising his contributions to the community, but these did not mitigate the seriousness of his crimes.

The judge criticized O’Grady’s attitude, suggesting that his confidence, possibly bolstered by his sporting prowess, led him to believe he could evade justice because of his status. He remarked, “It was as though you believed you could get away with it because of your position.”

Furthermore, the court was told that O’Grady had attempted to discredit the victim, suggesting she was fantasizing about the events. The judge condemned this behavior, stating that the girl’s parents had placed complete trust in him, and their sense of betrayal was palpable.

As part of his sentence, O’Grady will be registered on the Sex Offenders Register and is prohibited from working with children. Additionally, he has been issued an indefinite Sex Offenders Prevention Order, which restricts his access to female minors.

Outside the court, Detective Inspector Shaun Page of North Yorkshire Police expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am pleased with the result and I think the sentence gives some comfort to the family of the victim.” He also noted that O’Grady had maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, displaying arrogance and a determination to prove his innocence despite the overwhelming evidence against him.