Man who sexually abused girl in 1980s jailed

Henry Carson was jailed at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday

A man who sexually abused a young girl in the early 1980s has been jailed more than 40 years later.

Henry Carson, 75, formerly of Keighley, West Yorkshire, was found guilty of committing acts of gross indecency and indecent assault of a girl under the age of 14.

Police praised the Huddersfield-based victim for coming forward after she reported the abuse as an adult in 2022, with Carson charged in 2024.

He was sentenced to five years in prison with a one-year extension on licence at Leeds Crown Court.

Det Con Paul Campbell, from Kirklees' child safeguarding unit, said he hoped the victim could "take some comfort" in seeing Carson jailed.

"We want to absolutely commend the bravery of the victim who endured awful offences at the hands of Carson, but whose courage has seen him being made to answer for this crimes," he said.

"She was a defenceless young girl when he committed some dreadful sexual acts upon her and we welcome his sentencing for those offences at court today."

He added: "We are fully aware of just how difficult it can be to come forward, especially many years after the offending took place, but this case demonstrates that the passage of time is no barrier on justice."

In addition to his sentence, Carson was barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

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