MICHAEL SPRIGGS OF BRADFORD JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST TEENAGER
In August 2014, Michael Spriggs, a 59-year-old from Bradford, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl and causing her actual bodily harm.The court heard that Spriggs had assaulted the victim by grabbing her around the throat and banging her head against a wall upon discovering text messages indicating she was seeing someone her own age.
As a result of the assault, she sustained scratches on her neck and had clumps of hair pulled out.
The court was told that Spriggs’s relationship with the teenager lasted approximately 18 months.
Prosecutor Philip Standfast noted, "There was some element of grooming and a significant disparity in age," emphasizing that the victim was more than 30 years younger than Spriggs.
Kitty Taylor, representing Spriggs, explained that the abuse ended when the girl moved on after meeting a much younger man.
Spriggs’s criminal history includes a previous conviction from 1990, when he was sentenced to seven years in prison for having sex with a girl under 13, indecent assault, and gross indecency.
The court also recounted Spriggs’s arrest in July 2011, when he faced false allegations of rape.
He was held on police bail for two years, but those charges were ultimately dropped, which significantly affected him.
During sentencing, Judge John Potter took into account Spriggs’s prior convictions and described his conduct as unlawful.
The judge emphasized that Spriggs's relationship with the victim involved grooming and violence, particularly after he discovered the text messages.
As part of the sentence, Spriggs was ordered to register as a sex offender for an indefinite period and was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that prohibited him from contacting his victim.
Following the case, Detective Constable Ellen Allen of Bradford’s Safeguarding Unit stated, "Spriggs took advantage of his victim’s young age and vulnerability.
This must have been very distressing for her.
We thank her for reporting the crimes, and we hope this sentence encourages others to come forward.
Our officers are committed to thoroughly investigating all cases of sexual abuse to ensure justice is served." In July 2014, Spriggs had also pleaded guilty to two child sex charges at Bradford Crown Court.
He admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a child and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He denied 18 other related charges, which the prosecution accepted.
His case was scheduled for a future sentencing hearing, and he was granted bail under the condition that he prepare for a custodial sentence, with a pre-sentence report ordered.
