DEBORAH YATES FROM WOODVILLE JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING 12-YEAR-OLD BOY IN DERBY

In April 2021, Deborah Yates, a woman from Woodville, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences committed against a 12-year-old boy in Derby. The case revealed a disturbing pattern of grooming and abuse carried out by Yates, who used gifts such as sweets and crisps to manipulate her young victim.

Yates, aged 38 and a mother of three, was found to have engaged in a series of inappropriate meetings with the boy during school hours, despite her being aware that he was supposed to be attending classes. These clandestine encounters took place in secluded outdoor locations, including a field and a bushy area where she was caught lying next to the boy, hastily adjusting her clothing when discovered by a witness.

The court heard during her trial that the abuse began with innocent acts such as kissing and hugging, but quickly escalated to more invasive sexual acts. Yates reportedly asked the boy to put his hands down her trousers, a request that marked the beginning of a series of increasingly serious offences. The jury deliberated for over a day before reaching a verdict, finding her guilty of three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of child abduction. She was acquitted of one count of sexual assault and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

On April 19, Judge Robert Egbuna sentenced Yates to ten years in prison, describing her as “manipulative and deceitful.” During the two-week trial, the court was presented with evidence illustrating how her grooming tactics involved offering treats to the young boy to gain his trust and encourage him to meet her in secret. The judge emphasized the emotional damage inflicted on the victim and his family, noting the significant behavioral changes observed in the boy following the abuse. The boy’s mother testified that her son, once a caring and helpful child, had become withdrawn, aggressive, and fearful of physical contact, especially hugs, which he previously enjoyed.

In a victim impact statement read aloud in court, the boy expressed feelings of betrayal and shame. He revealed that he had trusted Yates because she appeared kind and generous, providing him with gifts that made him feel special. However, he now recognizes that these gestures were part of her grooming process. The boy stated, “I realize she was being kind to me and bought me stuff so that I would trust her more and let her do what she wanted to me.” He also expressed remorse for not recognizing her manipulative intentions earlier and expressed concern about the potential for her to harm other children.

Yates showed no visible emotion when her sentence was announced, appearing via video link from prison. In addition to her ten-year incarceration, she was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was issued a sexual harm prevention order to restrict her future contact with minors. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect children from grooming and exploitation, especially by trusted adults within their community.