DAVID LAYCOCK FROM BURNLEY AND HALIFAX SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENT ASSAULT IN FILEY
In a case that has spanned over a decade, a man from Burnley with ties to Halifax has been convicted and sentenced for the indecent assault of a young girl in the Filey area.The incident, which occurred approximately 14 years ago, has finally been brought to justice after a lengthy investigation and legal proceedings.
David Graham Laycock, aged 43 and residing on Parliament Street in Burnley, was identified as the perpetrator.
Although originally from Halifax, Laycock’s criminal actions in the Filey region have led to his recent conviction.
The case against him was initiated based on allegations of indecent assault involving a nine-year-old girl, with the offenses reportedly taking place in 2003.
In February of this year, Laycock was found guilty of two charges of indecent assault, despite having failed to appear in court for the proceedings.
His absence did not prevent the case from moving forward, and he was subsequently declared guilty in his absence.
It was later revealed that Laycock had gone into hiding following the allegations, making efforts to evade law enforcement authorities.
His whereabouts remained unknown until February 20th, when he was located and arrested in the Halifax area.
Following his arrest, Laycock was remanded into custody, awaiting sentencing at Leeds Crown Court.
The court proceedings culminated on a Monday, during which Laycock was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
In addition to his incarceration, the court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his contact with minors and extended his license period by an additional year.
Detective Constable Rachael Hughes, a member of the Scarborough Serious Crime Team, expressed her thoughts on the case, emphasizing the importance of the victim’s bravery.
She stated, “My thoughts are with the victim at this time and I commend her bravery in coming forward to report the abuse.
She has had to live with this hanging over her for the past 15 years and while no sentence can undo what happened in the past, I sincerely hope that the sentence handed out to Laycock brings some closure for her and she is able to move on with her life.” This case highlights the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of perseverance in seeking justice, even many years after the initial incident.
The legal process has finally brought some measure of accountability for Laycock’s actions, and the community remains reminded of the importance of protecting vulnerable children from harm.
