TYLER WARD JAILER IN HUDDERSFIELD FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AND REPEATED CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
A resident of Huddersfield, Tyler Ward, aged 20, has been sentenced to an extended period of imprisonment after being found guilty of multiple serious offences, including the sexual assault of a juvenile and an attempted armed robbery.The court heard heartbreaking details about Ward’s conduct and the threats he made to a vulnerable teenage girl, which ultimately led to his incarceration.
According to court records, Ward had engaged in unacceptable and illegal activity involving a young girl in his home located on Smiths Avenue.
The teenager, who initially reported the abuse to the police in 2021, described Ward's persistent demands for sex, which she reportedly complied with out of fear and a desire to end the pressure.
During proceedings at Leeds Crown Court, the prosecutor, Adam Walker, detailed how Ward had sex with the girl several times within his residence.
The young victim indicated that while she did not say she was forced into sexual acts, there were moments when Ward attempted to pressure her physically, tried to put her hand on his groin, and tried to force her head towards his private area.
The court was informed that the sexual activities caused the girl pain, and when she told Ward to stop, he allegedly responded with requests for just five more minutes of activity.
The victim also recounted that Ward would use drugs, such as cocaine, and alcohol to manipulate her, pressuring her to take these substances with false promises or threats.
In addition to the sexual misconduct, the girl described how Ward emotionally manipulated her, threatening self-harm and suicide if she attempted to end their relationship.
He reportedly told her that her refusal to continue seeing him or to take drugs would result in him splitting up with her.
Furthermore, he issued menacing threats, claiming that if she called the police, officers and their families would be harmed, warning her violently against seeking justice.
While investigations into the initial offences were ongoing, Ward's criminal behavior escalated in August of the previous year.
Around 12:30 a.m., Ward attempted to rob two men in a pub beer garden, using a BB gun as a weapon.
Dressed in a black ski mask, he demanded money from the victims.
During the struggle, one man grappled with Ward and believed he heard the distinct sound of a gunshot before police arrived on the scene.
Ward was promptly arrested following the incident.
One of the victims suffered minor injuries, waking up the next morning in pain, with a graze on his elbow that he thought resulted from being shot with the BB gun.
In his police interview, Ward claimed that he was the victim and that his visit to the pub, armed with the imitation firearm, was intended as a show of interest rather than a criminal act.
He stated that he had been intoxicated, having consumed Jack Daniel’s whiskey, and falsely portrayed himself as having been assaulted.
Court records also revealed that Ward had a criminal history with three prior convictions for eight offenses, primarily involving break-ins to both residential and non-residential properties during his juvenile years.
He has not previously served any custodial sentences but has accumulated a record of persistent offending.
Legal counsel for Ward, Anastasis Tasou, presented a psychological evaluation indicating that Ward suffers from emotionally unstable personality disorder.
The report highlighted his history of self-harm, mood swings, and depression, with the defendant seeking assistance for his mental health issues.
The court also noted that Ward had pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a minor under 16, as well as possession of an imitation firearm during the commission of the offences, and two attempted robbery charges.
Family circumstances were also considered.
Mr.
Tasou explained that Ward’s father is seriously ill with a terminal disease, which has prevented him from visiting his son during incarceration.
The legal representative conveyed the father’s concern and fear over the potential loss of his life amid Ward’s current detention.
In light of the numerous serious offences and Ward’s prior criminal record, Judge Rodney Jameson KC imposed an extended sentence comprising five years of imprisonment, along with an extended license period of four years.
The court’s decision underscores the gravity of Ward’s actions and the ongoing concern for community safety due to his pattern of offending.
