WESLEY HAWRYLIW JAILED FOR EIGHT YEARS IN LEICESTER FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF SCHOOLGIRLS
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Leicester community, Wesley Hawryliw, a 32-year-old man from Lilac Avenue, Humberstone Garden City, Leicester, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing two young girls.The offences, which took place between 2005 and 2007, involved grooming and exploiting victims aged between 11 and 15, with Hawryliw using his position within the local music scene to carry out his heinous acts.
Hawryliw was a member of the orchestra at the Soar Valley Music Centre, located on Claremont Street in Belgrave.
It was through his involvement in this musical organization that he befriended the victims, gaining their trust before subjecting them to sexual abuse.
The Leicester Crown Court heard that Hawryliw systematically groomed the girls, using manipulation and exploitation to satisfy his own sexual gratification.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Hawryliw maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming that the allegations were fabricated by the victims.
He argued that the girls had colluded to blackmail and frame him, and he also pointed to what he described as a “permissive culture” within the music centre at the time as a contributing factor to the misconduct.
However, the jury found him guilty of eight sex offences, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and sexual activity with a child.
The court was told that the abuse extended to taking one of the victims, aged 15, to his home, where sexual acts occurred, and that he persuaded one girl to undress in front of a webcam and touch herself while he watched on his computer.
Prosecutor James House highlighted that the music centre has since undergone significant changes, with new management implementing strict safeguarding policies to prevent such incidents from recurring.
He emphasized that the environment in which Hawryliw operated was exploited to facilitate his criminal behavior.
Judge Simon Hammond, presiding over the case, condemned Hawryliw for breaching the trust placed in him by the victims and their families.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge stated, “The defendant targeted and systematically abused these girls for his sexual gratification.
This type of offending leaves a serious legacy, often causing long-lasting psychological harm.
The defendant placed himself in an environment that allowed him to groom young girls, and he exploited that opportunity.” Hawryliw was ordered to sign the sex offender register for life and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order that prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with girls under 16.
The court also heard that he had caused additional harm by convincing one of the victims, aged 15, to undress in front of a webcam and touch herself while he watched.
In mitigation, Hawryliw’s legal representatives argued that he was a young man with limited sexual experience at the time of the offences and that the unhealthy environment at the music centre influenced his behavior.
They contended that imprisonment would have a devastating impact on him and his family, emphasizing that he had no previous convictions and was unlikely to reoffend.
Overall, the case underscores the importance of safeguarding within community organizations and highlights the devastating impact of sexual abuse on young victims.
The victims displayed remarkable courage and dignity in giving evidence, and their bravery was acknowledged by the court as a vital part of delivering justice in this troubling case.
