DEREK DUFFY'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN HALIFAX AND DENHOLME REVEALED

In a series of disturbing criminal cases spanning over a decade, Derek Duffy, a man with a long history of sexual offences, has been brought to justice in Halifax and Denholme. His crimes include heinous acts of child abuse, possession of indecent images, and violations of court orders designed to protect the public from sex offenders.

In September 2014, Duffy, aged 49 and formerly residing in Boothtown, Halifax, was sentenced to over seven years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offences involving a 14-year-old boy. The court heard that Duffy was a persistent and determined paedophile whose actions had caused significant harm to his victim. The incident came to light when police officers responded to reports and discovered the young boy hiding in Duffy’s attic, dressed only in his boxer shorts, on a day in October of the previous year.

Prosecutor Michael Smith detailed to Bradford Crown Court that police had visited Duffy’s residence approximately six weeks after he was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. During this visit, officers found a television connected to the internet, which was a breach of the court’s restrictions. The officers heard noises from the upper floor of the house and subsequently found the victim hiding in the attic space. When questioned, the boy initially denied any abuse by Duffy, but forensic analysis of his boxer shorts proved otherwise. The forensic evidence confirmed that the boy had been sexually assaulted by Duffy.

The victim later disclosed that he had stayed over at Duffy’s house on three separate occasions. On the day he was found in the attic, he admitted to smoking cannabis and expressed that he did not want to engage in sexual acts but felt pressured into doing so by Duffy. Duffy initially denied the allegations but admitted to the offences only after forensic evidence was presented.

Further investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of criminal behaviour by Duffy dating back 17 years. His criminal record includes the sexual assault of a boy under 14, showing pornography to children, and possessing indecent images of minors. Notably, in 2007, Duffy was acquitted of sexually abusing three other schoolboys. The court was also presented with a victim statement indicating that the abuse had inflicted severe psychological and emotional harm, adversely affecting the victim’s health and education.

Judge John Potter condemned Duffy’s actions, stating, “You have been involved in what society rightly views as quite sickening behaviour for at least 17 years. The time has come to impose upon you a sentence of such length it is hoped some rehabilitation work can be achieved.” Consequently, Duffy was sentenced to a total of seven years and seven months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to remain on a lifelong Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Craig Lord of the Calderdale Safeguarding Unit praised the efforts of Detective Constables Katy Butler and Jon Walker, along with police partners, emphasizing the commitment to bringing Duffy to justice. He issued a stern warning to anyone involved in child sexual exploitation, affirming that law enforcement agencies would pursue such offenders relentlessly.

In a separate case from February 2010, Duffy, then aged 44 and residing in Denholme on New Road, was remanded in custody after breaching a sex offender prevention order. During an interview with his probation officer in Keighley, Duffy was found to be in possession of two computer memory sticks attached to a keyring, which he claimed belonged to his son’s car. The discovery led to his immediate recall to prison, where he was serving an 18-month sentence from July 2007. The court heard that Duffy was unaware of the sticks’ presence until he dropped the keyring, and he pleaded guilty to breaching the order. He was remanded until March 9 for pre-sentence reports.

Earlier, in August 2007, Duffy was sentenced to 18 months after being convicted of possessing over 2,700 indecent images of boys on his computer. The court described his activities as “sordid,” and Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC highlighted Duffy’s intense and unshakeable interest in under-16 boys. Duffy’s criminal record also includes convictions for showing adult pornography to two boys in Scotland during the 1990s and indecently assaulting a boy under 14.

Throughout the proceedings, Duffy’s defense argued that the allegations were fabricated by the boys, claiming they had been influenced by his former gay lover, who had spread rumours about him. The court, however, found sufficient evidence to convict him, and the investigation was led by Detective Constable Brian Burke, who received commendation for his work. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and hold offenders accountable, with officials emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable children from predatory individuals like Duffy.