CHRISTOPHER WHEATLEY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN CLIFTON AND YORK

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Clifton and York, Christopher Wheatley, aged 48, has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences committed over more than a decade. Wheatley, who is now residing on Cromer Street in Clifton, was found guilty of multiple counts of child abuse, including attempted rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault, among other charges. His criminal activities spanned from the 1990s through the early 2000s, involving vulnerable children he knew personally, as he was familiar with their families.

Wheatley's offending history includes disturbing incidents during his time as a lorry driver in the 1990s. Prosecutors revealed that he took a young boy, then only nine or ten years old, on two overnight trips in a lorry cab. During these trips, Wheatley subjected the boy to sexual abuse while they were lying down to sleep inside the vehicle. To further manipulate the child, Wheatley also bought him a present, adding a layer of psychological control to his predatory behavior.

As Wheatley transitioned into a career as a coach driver, his offending continued and escalated. Court proceedings detailed how he took a 12-year-old boy on a coach trip to Newcastle, abusing him after the passengers had disembarked. He also engaged in sexual acts with a girl aged nine or ten during a separate coach journey, and on another occasion, he attempted to rape her. Additionally, Wheatley was found to have abused another girl, aged between eight and ten, in York. It was noted that Wheatley was familiar with the children’s parents, which likely facilitated his access to and exploitation of these minors.

During the court hearing, James Bourne-Arton, representing Wheatley, highlighted the offender’s troubled mental health, mentioning that Wheatley had attempted to take his own life twice. He also acknowledged Wheatley's awareness of the harm caused by his actions and his suffering from ill-health. Despite these factors, Judge Michael Mettyear condemned Wheatley's conduct as “appalling and disgraceful,” emphasizing the severity of his crimes.

Wheatley pleaded guilty to a comprehensive list of charges, including one count of attempted rape, one of sexual assault, four of sexual activity with a child, one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, five counts of indecent assault, and three additional sexual offences. The court sentenced him to nine years in prison for his crimes.

Following the sentencing, Acting Detective Chief Inspector Shaun Page of York Police’s Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit expressed satisfaction with the outcome. He stated, “We are pleased with today’s sentence, which reflects the seriousness of the offences, and hope that it sends a clear message to those who betray the trust of children in the most sickening way, that justice will catch up with them.”

He further added, “We hope the outcome gives other victims of abuse the courage to come forward to the police and report their ordeals.” Wheatley has since been released from custody and is currently living in York, but his criminal record and the impact of his actions continue to resonate within the community.