COLIN SPENCER FROM BRIGHOUSE SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES IN BRADFORD

In a significant legal development, Colin Spencer, a 53-year-old man from Brighouse, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 years after being convicted of multiple serious sex offences. The case unfolded at Bradford Crown Court, where Spencer’s actions and history were thoroughly examined by the judiciary.

Spencer, who was previously employed as a demolition worker and formerly resided on Marion Street in Brighouse, had been involved in a disturbing series of criminal activities targeting a teenage girl. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, initially reported incidents of abuse dating back to 2004. However, at that time, she chose not to pursue criminal charges against Spencer, perhaps due to fear or uncertainty. It was only after Spencer sent her explicit sexual texts last September that she felt compelled to contact law enforcement authorities once again.

Following this renewed contact, police issued a warrant for Spencer’s arrest. He was apprehended last month and subsequently pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and sexual assault against the same victim. The court proceedings revealed that Spencer had a troubling pattern of predatory behavior, which included holding the victim by her wrists during assaults and making threats to kill her if she reported the abuse. These threats and violent tactics underscored the severity of his misconduct.

During the hearing, prosecutor Nicholas Askins detailed Spencer’s criminal history, which dates back to the 1970s. His previous convictions include an indecent assault in the 1970s, a 12-month jail sentence in 1986 for attempting to kiss and fondle a girl under 16, and a suspended sentence in 1988 after groping a woman. These prior convictions painted a disturbing picture of Spencer’s long-standing issues with sexual misconduct.

Spencer’s arrest last November marked a turning point, as he initially denied any sexual involvement with the complainant. It was only when he entered his guilty pleas last month that he admitted to the allegations. The victim’s statement, read aloud in court, conveyed the profound psychological trauma inflicted by Spencer’s actions. Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC acknowledged the deep and lasting impact of the offences, emphasizing that the victim’s suffering would likely persist for the rest of her life.

Spencer’s defense attorney, Edward Bindloss, acknowledged that the case was among the most serious for sentencing but highlighted that his client’s guilty pleas spared the victim from the ordeal of a trial and the trauma of cross-examination on sensitive matters. Nonetheless, the judge was unequivocal in his assessment of the gravity of the crimes.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Durham Hall pointed out that Spencer’s attitude towards sexual behavior was deeply troubling. He referenced the explicit texts Spencer had sent last year, which included offers of money, further illustrating his predatory tendencies. The judge concluded that Spencer posed a continued threat to women and, therefore, extended his license period by an additional six years beyond the 14-year prison sentence. Furthermore, Spencer is now required to register as a sex offender for life and will be subject to an indefinite sexual offences protection order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further harm.