ROY PRITCHARD'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN LEEDS: GREAT-GRANDAD SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Leeds, Roy Pritchard, a 61-year-old great-grandfather, was sentenced to seven years in prison for attempting to sexually assault a 14-year-old girl within the confines of his sheltered housing flat at Moorhaven Court in Moortown.According to court proceedings, Pritchard targeted the young teenager while he was out on bail, having previously been accused of a sex attack at a supermarket.
The incident in question occurred after Pritchard had already been involved in a separate sexual assault at a Co-op store in January 2007, which led to his fleeing to Spain.
Authorities had released images of Pritchard captured on CCTV at the supermarket, which aided in his identification.
Despite being identified and wanted by police, Pritchard had managed to evade arrest by traveling to Spain.
It was only after he returned to the UK in November that he was finally apprehended and brought into custody.
During his time on bail, Pritchard exploited the vulnerability of a distressed 14-year-old girl he encountered outside his sheltered housing flat.
The girl was visibly upset and crying when she came across him, and Pritchard took advantage of her emotional state.
He subjected her to sexual abuse and attempted to rape her in his unclean, disorderly flat.
Pritchard, who has a gravelly voice, attempted to justify his actions before the court, claiming he believed the girl was 19 and that she had consented to the sexual activity.
However, the Leeds Crown Court jury found him guilty of attempted rape, sexual assault, and causing the girl to engage in sexual activity without her consent.
The jury, however, was unable to reach verdicts on additional charges of false imprisonment, threats to kill, and a second alleged indecent assault.
These charges were ordered to be left on file when Pritchard was sentenced on Thursday.
Judge Rodney Grant sentenced Pritchard to seven years in prison, with an extended three-year license period.
In his remarks, the judge emphasized the lasting impact of the crime on the victim, stating, “No one knows how long it will take for her to get over what happened in your flat.” He further noted, “She was clearly vulnerable at the time these events took place.
She was crying when you first came upon her, and you took advantage of her vulnerable state, and to some extent her naivety, subjecting her to a persistent ordeal.” The court was informed that the young girl had required ongoing counseling and continued to suffer from flashbacks related to the attack.
In addition to the sentence for the attempted rape, Pritchard received a 12-month concurrent sentence for the sexual assault committed during the supermarket incident two years earlier.
Forensic evidence, including DNA testing, linked Pritchard directly to the girl, reinforcing the case against him.
A psychiatric report presented during the trial described Pritchard’s attitude towards women as “unusual and distorted,” and assessed him as a significant risk for further serious offending.
During the sentencing hearing, Pritchard’s defense lawyer, Nicholas Lumley, urged the court not to impose an indeterminate sentence, citing Pritchard’s lack of prior convictions.
Mr.
Lumley argued, “He has not done this before.
He has got to a good age without committing offences like this.
He has managed to fulfill his sexual needs in a lawful – if unusual – way.”
