A man who used to live in York has been jailed for child sexual abuse offences.
54-year-old Ian Mark Wrightson of Holmes Close, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was jailed for three years and four months when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.
Wrightson lived in York at the time of his offending when he subjected a primary school aged girl to a series of sexual assaults between 1990 and 1992.
He would entice her to his room on the pretence of playing computer games and before every game, he would abuse her for his own sexual gratification.
He originally pleaded not guilty to five offences but on 5 August, the day he was due to stand trial, he changed his plea to guilty to three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, and two counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14.
He was jailed and placed on the sex offenders register for life and barred from working with children.
His victim said: “If my story can help someone in need, I would be so grateful that I had helped in a very small way by putting it out there and possibly giving them the strength to believe they can come forward themselves.
“I hope it will help people like me who have been so scared to come out and say something – whether it’s historic or current to speak up.”
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Helen Hewitt, added: “Wrightson’s cowardice in denying the offences he committed until just before the trial, forced the victim to endure the build up to the trial, reliving the horrific abuse she suffered.
“His guilty plea is a testament to the strength and courage shown by the victim and I hope the sentence passed will provide other victims of abuse the courage and confidence to come forward.
“North Yorkshire Police will work tirelessly to give victims of abuse a voice and achieve prosecutions against predatory offenders like Wrightson.
“The effects of sexual abuse are long-lasting and can affect all aspects of a victim’s life. I urge anyone who has been abused, no matter when it happened, to please come forward.
“If you don’t feel you can report to the police at the moment, there are other agencies who can help you but please do not suffer in silence.”
Reporting rape and sexual abuse
• Make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or call 101 and speak to the Force Control Room
• If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, always dial 999 for an emergency response
• Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – If you prefer not to go direct to the police and are not in immediate danger, contact North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0330 223 0362 or visit https://orlo.uk/bw8jv
• Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. Adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support
• Childline is available for young people on 0800 1111 or at Childline
• IDAS is an independent charity that supports victims of sexual violence and abuse regardless of whether you have reported it to the police
• You can also contact the Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire at https://orlo.uk/8TkE9 or call 01609 643100