'We commend her bravery': Woman's courage helps jail Morley man who raped her as a child
Day was jailed for 12 years in prison
A woman has been praised for her bravery after coming forward to help secure the conviction of a Morley man who sexually abused her as a child in Kirklees.
Safeguarding officers from Kirklees Police thanked the victim for coming forward following the sentencing of Richard Day for rape.
Day, 30, of Jubilee Terrace, Morley, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday after being found guilty by a jury of raping a child under 13.
He was also handed a restraining order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Olivia Connor, who led the investigation, 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.”
The offences took place between 2014 and 2017 and were first reported by the victim in March 2021.
Safeguarding officers launched a full investigation into the report while offering support to the victim.
Day was summoned to court in October 2023. He pleaded not guilty to the offences but was found guilty by a jury at a trial in June.
Detective Sergeant Connor added: “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 forward, for whatever reason, to do so. Dedicated safeguarding detectives will do all they can to support you and help you secure justice.”