'Monstrous' child rapist jailed for 25 years

Abass was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday

A man has been jailed for 25 years after being found guilty of serious sexual offences against children, including rape and sexual assault.

Michael Abass, 48, of Heckmondwike, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday after being convicted at a trial in July of a total of 16 offences.

The offending, against two girls and a boy, took place between 2015 and 2024 and came to light when one of the victims contacted police in August last year.

Det Con Yvonne Brear, of Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, said: "The monstrous offences committed by Michael Abass against his three victims are quite simply some of the worst I have seen in a 14-year career in child safeguarding."

The court heard Abass had committed seven counts of rape against one victim, as well as six counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13 and controlling and coercive behaviour.

In addition to his jail term, Abass will have to sign the sex offenders register for life and he was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

'Awful abuse'

Sentencing Abass, Judge Gavin Doig said the 48-year-old had acted in a depraved manner towards children and was a dangerous offender.

He also commended the bravery of the victims.

After the sentencing, Det Con Brear said: "Six of the rapes he was found guilty of represent rape offending which took place on at least 10 occasions, illustrating the sheer scale of the awful sexual abuse he committed.

"Frankly it is hard to comprehend how anyone could act in this way, and treat young children as nothing more than objects for their gratification."

Meanwhile, Det Insp Paul Greatorex, from the Child Safeguarding Unit, said: "I hope those victims can take some comfort from knowing their steadfast support of this prosecution has been instrumental in making Abass answer for his crimes.

"The depth of his offending against them was also very much reflected by the sentence imposed by the court."

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