'Appalling abuse' - Rapist jailed for 12 years after assaulting young girl

The man who subjected a young girl to what police have described as “appalling abuse over a prolonged period” has been jailed.

Richard Day sexually abused and raped the girl - who was under the age of 13 - between 2014 and 2017. The offences were first reported to police in 2021.

An investigation was launched into the 30-year-old which resulted in him being summonsed to court in October 2023.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences, but was unanimously found guilty by a trial in June.

Day, of Jubilee Terrace, Morley, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty by a jury of rape of a child under 13.

He was also given a restraining order and put on the sex offenders’ register.

Detective Sergeant Olivia Connor who led the investigation for West Yorkshire Police, said: “We fully appreciate just how difficult it can be for victims of such dreadful offending to come forward and report what they have suffered, and I want to commend the bravery of the survivor in this case.

"Day subjected her to appalling abuse over a prolonged period of time and then put her through the ordeal of a trial.

“A jury has unanimously convicted him for these offences, and we hope the victim can take comfort from that and seeing him sentenced.

"We do continue to encourage survivors of sexual offences who may not have come forwards, for whatever reason, to do so. Dedicated safeguarding detectives will do all they can to support you and help you secure justice."