REECE YOUNG'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN HULL: FATHER'S ABUSE SHOCKS COMMUNITY
In April 2018, a deeply disturbing case unfolded in Hull, revealing the harrowing experiences of a young woman who endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of her own father, Reece Young.The victim, Kira Bielby, now 19, courageously shared her story, expressing her relief and sense of justice after her father was finally held accountable for his heinous actions.
Reece Young, aged 49, was the driving force behind a series of sexual offences committed against his daughter, beginning when she was just six years old and continuing until she was nine.
The abuse was so severe that Bielby had to give evidence twice in court, once during the initial trial when Young denied any wrongdoing, and again after a retrial.
Despite her bravery, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on her allegations during the first trial.
However, Young was convicted of other sex offences and sentenced to six years in prison.
Following the retrial at Hull Crown Court, Young faced additional charges, and on the Monday of the trial, he was found guilty of three specific offences against his daughter.
As a result, his sentence was extended by another eight years, bringing his total imprisonment to a significant length.
The court's decision marked a crucial moment for Bielby, who chose to waive her right to anonymity to speak openly about her ordeal and to serve as an inspiration for other victims of sexual abuse to come forward.
Expressing her feelings upon hearing the guilty verdicts, Bielby described the moment as “a weight off my shoulders” and a “massive relief.” She emphasized the importance of speaking out, especially for other victims who might feel afraid or unsure about being believed.
“I would say don’t be afraid of anything, of people not believing you.
You always have to come out, no matter what it is; there is always someone out there who will believe you.
It doesn’t matter who did it, you can’t be afraid to speak out,” she stated.
Her journey to justice was long and painful.
Bielby revealed that she did not feel able to report the abuse until she was 14, and she described her five-year wait for justice as “awful.” Despite her trauma, she showed remarkable resilience by choosing to face her father in court without hiding behind screens, determined to confront him directly.
She explained, “I used to be scared of him and I wanted to prove to him I’m not scared any more and he didn’t have any authority over me any more.
It’s not something I’m ashamed of any more.
I lived with it knowing it was wrong for four years but didn’t get the courage to tell anyone.” Throughout her ordeal, Bielby expressed a desire for her father to be publicly named and shamed for his actions.
“I’m glad it’s getting out because people need to know and need to recognize him,” she said, highlighting her wish for accountability and awareness in the community.
Reece Young, who also ran his own driving school and had previously sought political office as a Yorkshire First candidate in the 2015 Hull City Council elections for the Bransholme East ward, showed no signs of retreating from public life despite his criminal background.
The court revealed that he would often lure his youngest daughter into the bathroom under the pretext of giving her a bath or shower, only to commit the abuse.
The trauma inflicted on Bielby was profound; she suffered nightmares, sleepwalking, and even resorted to placing a chair against her bedroom door to prevent her father from entering.
Her suffering extended into her education, and she continues to receive counseling and support from organizations such as the Blue Door charity and Victim Support.
The court, presided over by Recorder Tahir Khan QC, acknowledged the severe psychological harm Bielby endured.
He categorized the two sexual assault convictions as the most serious level of sexual offences under the sentencing guidelines, emphasizing the gravity of Young’s actions.
“In my judgement, these two offences represent a course of gravely serious sexual offending against your young daughter,” he stated.
Young, of Alliance Avenue in west Hull, was also convicted of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
However, he was acquitted of three other charges related to his daughter.
As part of his sentence, he is required to register as a sex offender for life, and he is subject to a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order that will remain in effect indefinitely.
The court’s ruling underscores the community’s need for ongoing vigilance and justice in cases of child sexual abuse.
