DAVID LAWN

A man who sexually abused a young girl over a span of six years has now been incarcerated following a thorough investigation by safeguarding specialists in Leeds.

David Lawn, aged 62, of St Johns Garth in Aberford, began assaulting the victim during the 1990s.

The survivor later came forward as an adult, prompting the Leeds Safeguarding Unit to conduct an extensive inquiry in 2021.

This investigation resulted in Lawn being formally charged with multiple sexual offences.

Lawn was tried at Leeds Crown Court last month, where he was convicted on all 16 charges, which included three counts of raping a girl under the age of 16.

On February 13, he was sentenced to an extended term of 20 years plus one year on license, and he will be on the sexual offenders register for life.

In her impactful statement, the woman described the lasting trauma caused by the abuse, recounting how her childhood was marked by fear instead of childhood joys.

She shared how she learned to retreat inside herself rather than enjoy normal childhood activities.

As she grew older, she carried the secret like a heavy weight, which endured into her adult life as a quiet burden of stones.

She described her ongoing state of hypervigilance, constantly inspecting her environment and planning escape routes, even within her own home.

Her words depicted living as two versions of herself: the frightened girl who learned to hide and survive, and the adult who managed to carry on while bearing invisible wounds.

She expressed her gratitude that someone finally recognized her truth and gave her a voice, inspiring pride in her determination to fight back.

She concluded that she now feels empowered by the knowledge that her abuser cannot reach her anymore, which she describes as a newfound freedom.

Though she cannot change what happened, she has chosen to speak out, to stand up, and to reclaim her life.

Her statement ends with her asserting her newfound strength and her departure from fear, contrasting it with her previous terror.

Detective Constable Christine Walkin, leading the investigation, commented that Lawn's actions inflicted severe trauma on a vulnerable young girl, profoundly impacting her life.

She commended the victim’s courage and hopes the conviction will bring her some peace as she moves forward.

The officer also encouraged other victims to come forward, stressing that the police take all sexual offences seriously.

Dedicated officers are available to support victims and ensure justice is served.