York man jailed for 22 years for child sexual abuse

A man has been jailed for 22 years for child sexual abuse offences and possessing indecent images of children.

Ian Moffat, 63, has been sentenced at York Crown Court to 22 years and eight months on 20 August 2026 for raping and sexually assaulting a girl during the last decade and possessing 149 indecent images of children.

Moffat, from York, has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and issued with a sexual harm prevention order until further order. T

he court also ordered the destruction of a computer tower.

The abuse was disclosed to North Yorkshire Police in December 2023 and an investigation commenced.

After his initial arrest in December 2023, his digital devices were seized as part of the investigation and examined by the North Yorkshire Police Digital Forensics Unit.

It was discovered that his desktop computer contained 149 indecent images of children.

Moffat was then further arrested for possession of indecent images of children.

Detective Constable James Stewart, from North Yorkshire Police's Safeguarding Investigation Team said: "During each interview, Moffat only replied with no comment and by pleading not guilty shows his lack of acceptance of any responsibility for the horrendous sexual abuse he subjected his victim to for a number of years.

"I praise the victim for having the courage to report the abuse she endured, and commend her bravery for seeing through the investigation. I hope justice being served to Moffat helps the victim with some form of closure, to help her to proceed with her life the best she can.

"I also hope this helps other victims find the bravery to report to police, please know that it doesn't matter when the abuse took place, you will be listened to."