Limousine rapist jailed for 24 years

David Saynor was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court

A rapist who used his limousine business to groom and sexually abuse young girls in Rotherham has been jailed for 24 years.

David Saynor, 77, targeted particularly vulnerable children who he would give free rides and money to and ply with drink and drugs before raping or assaulting them.

Following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court, he was found guilty of a series of sexual offences against children which dated from between 2005 and 2017.

Saynor, now of Mayall Court in Waddington, Lincolnshire, was told by Judge David Dixon given his age and health he would likely remain in prison for the remainder of his life.

The Hummer stretch limousine used by Saynor during his offending

Sheffield Crown Court heard between 2005 and 2017, Saynor lured children into his limousine under the pretence of offering them to do "promotional work" for his business.

His eight victims, aged between 12 and 17 at the time, were often picked up from schools or care homes in his stretch Hummer limousine and taken around Rotherham.

The girls would be given money for cigarettes, food or occasionally drugs and were "actively encouraged" to call him if they needed a lift or to bring their friends.

Saynor was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2020 as part of Operation Stovewood.

He had denied the offences but was found guilty of four counts of rape, two counts of paying for sexual services of a child and five counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming following a five-week trial.

He was also found guilty of three counts of assault by penetration, two counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

'Emotional wreck'

Victim impact statements read out in court detailed the lasting trauma Saynor's abuse had caused.

His victims, now all adults, said they felt Saynor had robbed them of their childhood and destroyed their trust in men.

Many of them said they struggled with their mental health, felt lonely and scared to leave the house and found relationships with others difficult.

One victim said: "I am an emotional wreck and every day is difficult.

"I don’t have good days, I have better days."

Another victim said she suffered from nightmares and had become an overprotective parent as a result of what had happened to her.

"Dave ruined my childhood and I feel like he’s ruined my adult life too," she said.

"I don’t know who I am anymore."

At the end of the hearing, Judge David Dixon thanked the women for their bravery in giving evidence in court.

"You are all amazing women, because you were brave enough and powerful enough to stand up to questions, to suggestions that you were in it for the money," he said.

"To do all of that shows that you have the power, not him, that you decide, not him."

'Cruel and manipulative'

Judge Dixon told Saynor he must serve at least two thirds of a 24-year prison term, making it "effectively a life sentence" due to Saynor's age and deteriorating health.

Sam Thompson, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The way David Saynor groomed, threatened and coerced young girls in the community for his own depraved sexual desires, was both cruel and manipulative.

“We are thankful to the victims in this case who came forward to tell the court what happened to them at the hands of Saynor.

"It is because of their evidence that we were able to build a strong case and help bring this sex offender to justice."

If you've been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.