HUDDERSFIELD MAN BRIAN CATLING SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST THREE GIRLS

In October 2016, a man from Huddersfield named Brian Catling was handed a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of multiple serious sex offences involving three young girls. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior by Catling, who was 57 years old at the time of sentencing.

Catling, residing on Woods Avenue in the Marsden area of Huddersfield, was found guilty on several counts related to the sexual abuse of minors. The jury, which reached a majority verdict of 10-2, convicted him of raping an 11-year-old girl, although he was acquitted of a third charge involving her. Additionally, he was convicted by an 11-1 majority of raping a 14-year-old girl. Beyond these convictions, Catling was also found guilty of three counts of indecent assault against another teenage girl, with two of these charges decided by an 11-1 majority and the third by a 10-2 majority.

Presiding at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Christopher Batty delivered a stern judgment, acknowledging that Catling now suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, auditory hallucinations, diabetes, deep-vein thrombosis, a history of stroke, and seizures. Despite these health issues, the judge emphasized that Catling’s criminal conduct was rooted in his earlier years, specifically at the end of the 1990s and into the 2000s, when he was a man sexually attracted to young girls.

Judge Batty detailed the tragic impact on the first victim, who was only 11 years old when Catling discovered she had been raped by another man. He described how Catling exploited her vulnerability and emotional devastation. The judge recounted that Catling followed her into a cellar one day and raped her, warning her afterward not to tell anyone and reminding her she would not be believed. Over time, Catling raped her at least five times, causing her to suffer nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks, leaving her life in ruins for his own gratification.

The second victim, also a girl, was raped during a visit to Catling’s home. She was experiencing difficulties with her family at the time and confided in him, which he exploited by taking her into his bedroom and abusing her sexually. The court heard that she was devastated by the trauma inflicted upon her and the lasting impact it had on her life.

The third girl, aged 15, was also subjected to inappropriate sexual contact during visits to Catling’s home, where he often hosted teenagers openly. The court was told that Catling used his home as a venue to prey on vulnerable young girls, taking advantage of their trust and circumstances.

Rebecca Fairburn, representing Catling, argued that he had led a solitary life in recent years and emphasized that all the offences occurred 17 to 20 years prior. Nonetheless, the court ordered Catling to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.