Child Sex Offender Jailed For More Than 25 Years

CHILD SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS

A man from Huddersfield, convicted of a range of severe sexual crimes against children, has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison.

Matthew Pearce, aged 56 and residing on Glastonbury Drive, received a 27-year prison sentence plus one year on licence at Leeds Crown Court on Monday, November 10, after being found guilty of committing 20 sexual offences involving minors.

The police described the crimes, which occurred between 2003 and 2014, as particularly horrifying.

They also commended the bravery shown by the four victims, who supported the prosecution.

Pearce was convicted of abusing two young girls and two boys in the Kirklees area, his charges included.

• Three offences of rape of a child under 13.

• Two offences of rape contrary to section 1(1) of the sexual offences act 2003.

• Two offences of sexual assault on a child under 13.

• Sexual assault.

• Two offences of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

• Two offences of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

• Five offences of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

• Two offences of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

• Indecency with a child contrary.

The allegations first came to light when one of the victims reported the abuse as an adult in October 2021.

Following this, Kirklees child safeguarding detectives launched an extensive investigation to identify and interview victims.

Pearce was subsequently arrested in 2022 and faced charges.

The 56-year-old appeared before magistrates for the first time in April 2024.