WAKEFIELD PAEDOPHILE DAVID JEFFERSON SENT BACK TO PRISON AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGES DISCOVERED

In a disturbing development in Wakefield, a man with a long history of sexual offenses has been re-incarcerated following the discovery of indecent images of children on his mobile device. David Jefferson, aged 62, was taken into custody after police officers conducted a routine check at his residence on Ivy Lane, Eastmoor, Wakefield, on August 10 of this year. During this visit, law enforcement officials uncovered photographs depicting young girls stored on Jefferson’s phone, raising immediate concerns about his ongoing risk to the community.

Jefferson, who was already under supervision due to a previous conviction, was found to be out of prison but still subject to lifelong licence conditions. His prior conviction stemmed from serious sexual offenses committed in 2006, which had resulted in a lengthy and indeterminate sentence designed to protect the public from his predatory behavior. The recent discovery of the images prompted his arrest, and he did not deny his involvement, admitting responsibility for accessing the illicit material.

At Leeds Crown Court, Jefferson pleaded guilty to a single charge of making indecent photographs of children. His legal representative, Mark McKone, requested that his client be given credit for his early guilty plea, which often results in a reduced sentence. Despite this, the judge, Recorder Tony Hawks, sentenced Jefferson to four months in prison for the offence. However, the judge issued a stark warning, emphasizing that Jefferson’s continued sexual offending meant he would likely face a much longer incarceration period.

Recorder Hawks stated, “You have plainly got a serious problem in relation to a predilection towards sexual offences with children.” He further explained that the decision regarding Jefferson’s eventual release would be made by the parole board, which would consider whether he could be safely reintegrated into society and under what conditions.

Jefferson’s criminal history is deeply troubling. He previously worked as a security guard and was convicted in July 2006 for grooming a 12-year-old girl for sex. During that case, it was revealed that he showered her with gifts and slowly manipulated her over a period of three months before sexually assaulting her. Jefferson, who also had a prior conviction for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl, was sentenced to an indeterminate term with a minimum of four years in custody to safeguard the public.

Judge Roger Scott, presiding over the 2006 case, described Jefferson’s actions as highly disturbing and emphasized the severity of his sentence, which was intended to serve as a long-term deterrent. Jefferson’s history of offending, including the 1992 conviction for unlawful intercourse with a girl he met when she was only 12, underscores a pattern of predatory behavior. The judge remarked that Jefferson’s latest offenses appeared to be a continuation of this troubling pattern, with the defendant writing “disgusting” letters to the girl and giving her necklaces, actions that demonstrated his manipulative intent.

Prosecutor Michael Wrigglesworth detailed how the relationship between Jefferson and the young girl began in December of the previous year and continued until March. During this period, Jefferson sent her letters, some of which contained references to sexual activity, and lent her CDs. He also bought her gifts, including necklaces and a teddy bear around Valentine’s Day. The situation escalated when the girl, unable to be identified for legal reasons, left her home with Jefferson and was driven away in his car. During this outing, Jefferson sexually assaulted her, an act that was only discovered after she returned home and her parents contacted the police.

Jefferson, who is married and has five children, admitted to officers that he and the girl had met secretly on “ten or 20 occasions” and described his actions as “stupid.” His defense attorney, Simon Myers, emphasized that Jefferson had raised his children without any allegations of harm or mistreatment. Jefferson now faces the consequences of his actions, feeling “broken” and isolated, with limited contact with his family due to his incarceration. His case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by repeat offenders with a history of sexual predation, and the justice system’s ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable children from such predators.