
A York man is starting a six year sentence for sexually assaulting a young girl in West Yorkshire.
Geoffrey Dunwell, 47, from York was sentenced to six years imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court today (Friday, 22 April) for seven offences of sexual activity with a child.
Dunwell met his 14-year-old victim on a social media application in June 2015 and groomed her online over a period of weeks.
He later arranged to meet her and then sexually assaulted the 14-year-old on several occasions at locations in Ossett and Dewsbury.
The offences were later disclosed to Wakefield police who began to carry out enquiries and identified Dunwell.
Detective Constable Aidy Cowan of the Wakefield District Child Safeguarding Unit: "Geoffrey Dunwell richly deserves his sentence for his abuse of a young and particularly vulnerable victim.
"He took advantage of and groomed his victim, who was 14 at the time, before committing several sexual offences against her. All the while, Dunwell was fully aware of his victim's young age.
"She showed a lot of courage in disclosing those offences to us and I hope this conviction again reaffirms the determination of officers to provide support to victims and secure justice for them."
He added: "Anyone who has information about sexual offending in the Wakefield area can contact Wakefield District Police on 101. All reports will be investigated."