Man jailed for rape and sexual abuse of children

A man has been jailed for 18 years for raping and sexually abusing a number of young children.

James Laing, 39, of Ripon, was found guilty at trial of two counts of raping a child under 13 and six counts of sexual assault of a child, as well as causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and attempted sexual assault of a child under 13.

He was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday to 18 years in prison and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Police staff investigator for North Yorkshire Police, Lorraine Whipp, said: "Laing denied the offences throughout the whole investigation, therefore making his victims face the trauma of giving evidence against him in court."

She added: "Laing has taken away the childhood of his victims, abusing them in the worst way possible.

"In their own words, he has ruined their lives, and although they are glad they are now safe and no-one can hurt them, it has also affected their trust in men."

Ms Whipp said the victims had been "incredibly brave" in reporting what had happened to them, and had found the court process "extremely difficult".

"I sincerely hope that the children can put this horrendous abuse and the experience behind them with the help of the agencies who are supporting them and live happy lives knowing that their abuser can no longer harm them," she said.

She said she hoped this outcome would encourage other victims of abuse to come forward knowing that "they will be believed, listened to and supported".

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