Pudsey paedophile jailed for 32 years after fleeing to Ireland before sentencing

Jason Spence, 38, raped and assaulted four children under 13 before absconding to Ireland for 33 days. He was extradited and sentenced at Leeds Crown Court.

Pudsey man sentenced to 32 years for child sex offences after 33-day Irish manhunt

Jason Spence, 38, of Roker Lane, Pudsey, has been jailed for 32 years after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting four children, all under the age of 13, westyorkshire.police.uk reports.

Spence was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of four counts of rape, five counts of assault by touching, as well as offences relating to the making and possession of indecent and prohibited images of children.

He was released on conditional bail on 2 April ahead of sentencing, but failed to appear in court on 16 April, prompting a warrant for his arrest. Spence remained at large for 33 days before being located in Ireland and returned to the UK.

On Wednesday 8 July, he received a 32-year extended sentence — comprising 24 years in custody and eight years on licence.

Detective Constable Gemma Varley, of Leeds District Safeguarding, said: "What these children have endured at such a young age is unimaginable. This was a complex investigation that required extremely sensitive handling, balancing the need to gain evidence to ensure Spence was convicted with being careful and considerate of the trauma that these young victims had already been exposed to."

Varley also paid tribute to the officer who led the original investigation. "The officer who led on this investigation, Nicki Vincent, has since retired but returned to give evidence during the trial, helping to ensure Spence has been held accountable for his actions," she said.

Detective Constable Susan Abbott, who led the subsequent manhunt after heading the safeguarding investigation, said Spence had deliberately tried to avoid justice. "Spence has tried to evade justice by leaving the country before he could be sentenced, causing further distress to his victims and their family members," Abbott said.

West Yorkshire Police worked closely with An Garda Síochána to secure his arrest and extradition. "Spence is clearly a dangerous man who has preyed on multiple children," Abbott added. "I hope that knowing he is now in prison helps those who have been involved in this awful case as they continue to try and rebuild their lives."

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)