WILLIAM INGHAM FROM CLECKHEATON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN LEEDS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Cleckheaton and the surrounding areas, William Ingham has been sentenced to additional prison time after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The incident, which took place in July of the previous year, involved a 13-year-old girl and has led to serious legal repercussions for Ingham.

According to court proceedings at Leeds Crown Court, Ingham was already serving a sentence of 40 months in a young offender institution, a sentence handed down in April for a series of offenses including assault, theft, and making threats of revenge against a former partner. During that period, he had also been involved in illicit communication, including threatening the victim via a phone call from HMP Doncaster.

Prosecutor Kate Bissett detailed the events leading to Ingham’s latest conviction, revealing that prior to his remand and sentencing for the earlier crimes, he had visited the home of the young girl in July of the previous year. During this visit, Ingham persuaded the girl to sit with him on a sofa. It was during this encounter that he removed her leggings and engaged in sexual activity with her, despite her asserting that she was a virgin. The girl later confided in her mother about what had transpired.

Following the incident, Ingham was arrested in September. At the time of his arrest, he denied having been at the girl’s residence. His defense attorney, Andrew Stranex, argued that Ingham was 18 at the time and suggested that the age difference was not as significant as in some other cases before the courts. However, the court found the evidence sufficient to convict him of one charge of sexual activity with a child.

Ingham, now 19 and residing on Foldings Parade, Scholes, Cleckheaton, admitted to the charge. The court sentenced him to an additional two years and three months in prison, to be served consecutively with his existing sentence of three years and four months. Judge Simon Phillips QC emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, “You were well aware of her age and in short took advantage of that young girl.”

The judge also highlighted the seriousness of Ingham’s threats, noting that he told the girl he would “batter her” if she disclosed what had happened. As part of his sentence, Ingham was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, underscoring the court’s view of the severity of his actions and the need for ongoing public safety measures.