Sheffield man who abused two young girls jailed for 21 years

Bartosz Bella has been jailed for 21 years

A paedophile who abused and manipulated two young girls has been jailed for 21 years.

Bartosz Bella, 40, sexually and physically abused the girls, aged 12 and 16, over and four year period.

South Yorkshire Police said Bella forced his victims to engage in sexual acts in return for gifts and would beat them if they refused.

He was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court after either admitting or being found guilty of ten offences.

The force said Bella, from the Manor area of Sheffield, was convicted after a trial in 2022 of three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual assault.

The jury was unable to reach a verdict on five further charges.

He was remanded into custody and, on 9 February of this year, four days into a re-trial he pleaded guilty to the remaining charges, including sexual assault and assault by beating.

'Heinous crimes'

On Tuesday he was made the subject of a restraining order barring him from contacting his victims and told his name would remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Det Con Rina Ganatra, said: "The two victims in this case suffered harrowing abuse by Bella and I am pleased that he will now serving a lengthy sentence behind bars for his heinous crimes."

She thanked the victims for their "bravery and strength" shown throughout the case and said the harm caused by the assault could be "life-long".

"I hope that with time and support, the young victims can begin to move on with their lives and go onto a happy adulthood," the officer added.