NEIL WATKIN'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN ALLERTON AND BRADFORD: A LONG HISTORY OF ABUSE AND JUSTICE SERVED

In November 2014, Neil Watkin, a man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his heinous crimes committed in the Bradford area, including Allerton and Holme Wood. The court heard how Watkin, aged 48 at the time, engaged in a pattern of grooming and abusing young boys, luring them to his flat on a Bradford housing estate and exploiting their trust for his own sexual gratification.

Watkin’s criminal activities came to light after a police investigation that was initiated while he was already serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence for a separate sexual assault involving a Bradford boy he had taken to football training in the summer of 2010. The investigation revealed that Watkin had been abusing boys over a period spanning from 1994 to 2004, primarily at his flat located in Kelso House, Sterling Crescent, Holme Wood. His modus operandi involved offering the boys money, cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol, which he used to manipulate and control them.

One of his victims, who was just 11 or 12 years old at the time, was sexually abused during a trip to the cinema. Another victim, who was between 12 and 16 years old during the assaults, was subjected to Watkin’s abuse over several years. The court heard that Watkin’s flat served as a “bolthole,” a hideaway where he kept boys who were involved in minor criminal activities on the estate. Judge Peter Benson described Watkin as a “Fagin figure,” emphasizing that his motivation was not monetary but rooted in sexual gratification. The judge stated, “You deliberately groomed and corrupted two young boys, both of whom have had their lives blighted.”

The impact on the victims was profound. One of them had suffered from depression for many years, while the other had been battling alcoholism since the age of 12. The second victim described his life as “an existence,” revealing how he relied on Watkin’s money to sustain his addiction. The judge condemned Watkin’s behavior as “abusive, manipulative, and thoroughly wicked,” highlighting the long-lasting damage inflicted upon his victims.

During the trial, Watkin denied the allegations, forcing the victims to testify against him. Despite the emotional toll, one of the victims expressed pride in telling the truth. Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Emily Lawrence of the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit commented on the case, stating, “It was Watkin’s initial conviction for sexual offences against a young boy that led to others making allegations of a similar nature against him. I would like to thank these people for having the courage to come forward and hope that this lengthy sentence will give them some comfort. I also hope it will encourage other victims to come forward and speak to our specially trained officers, who will investigate all reports of sexual abuse thoroughly and sensitively, with the intention of bringing the offenders to justice.”

Earlier in October 2014, Watkin was found guilty of a series of historic sex offences against five boys. The jury, comprising four women and eight men, convicted him of attempted serious sexual assault, ten counts of indecent assault, and eight counts of gross indecency. The court acknowledged that the attempted assault carried a potential life sentence. Watkin was acquitted of two counts of rape and six of indecent assault. The offences spanned from 1994 to 2004, with victims under 16, and involved him inviting boys to his flat and giving them money, often shortly after his arrival in Bradford from Hampshire in 1994.

A mother whose son, now aged 27, testified against Watkin in 2012, expressed her relief at the verdict. She described Watkin as a “slimeball” and praised the victims for their bravery. She said, “Children have had to suffer at the hands of this slimeball. If it was not for those boys being courageous enough, he would still be getting away with it. I am really glad he will get a substantial sentence. I hope and do pray that he gets a life term.”

Watkin appeared emotionless as the guilty verdicts were read, though he seemed visibly nervous when the court announced the guilty findings on the majority of charges. The judge, Judge Peter Benson, deferred sentencing to allow for a full assessment of the victims’ impact statements. He emphasized the importance of understanding the profound effect these crimes had on the victims and indicated that Watkin could expect a “substantial sentence” when sentenced on November 25.

In a prior case from April 2013, Watkin was released from prison after serving part of his sentence. The devastating effects of his abuse on his victims, including a young boy who was molested at age ten, were detailed by their mother. She described her son’s ongoing trauma, including sleep disturbances, night terrors, and reluctance to participate in activities he once enjoyed, such as football. The boy’s mother recounted how Watkin, who was known as “Uncle Neil,” had appeared to be a kind and genuine person, making the betrayal even more painful.

Judge Colin Burn, who sentenced Watkin, acknowledged the trauma inflicted on the boy and emphasized that Watkin actively sought to exploit the trust placed in him. The judge also imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, barred Watkin from working with children, and ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely. These measures aim to prevent further harm and ensure public safety, reflecting the severity of Watkin’s crimes and the lasting damage caused to his victims.