ELLIOTT APPLEYARD'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN DENBY DALE: A TALE OF BETRAYAL AND ABUSE

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Denby Dale, a 71-year-old man named Elliott Appleyard has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against his own daughter during the 1980s. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of abuse that spanned several years, during which Appleyard subjected his teenage daughter, Carol Higgins, to repeated rape and emotional manipulation.

According to court records, Appleyard, residing on Gilthwaites Crescent in Denby Dale, engaged in sexual acts with his daughter, Carol Higgins, approximately three to four times weekly when she was between the ages of 13 and 15. The abuse was not only physical but also psychological, as he manipulated her into believing that their relationship was normal. Higgins, who has chosen to waive her right to anonymity, described her ordeal as a complete violation of her childhood and innocence. In her victim impact statement, she expressed her profound suffering, stating, "He took my childhood away from me and treated me like a slave."

During the sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court, Higgins delivered a heartfelt statement, revealing the depth of her trauma. She said, "When I was an innocent little girl I loved and trusted you," emphasizing how her trust was exploited. She further explained that her father’s abuse had robbed her of her family and her sense of security for over three decades. Higgins recounted how Appleyard had taken her to a tattoo parlour in Barnsley to have a declaration of love tattooed on her shoulder, and how he had taken explicit photographs of her in her underwear. She also described how he had made her wear his wife’s engagement ring, further blurring the lines of their twisted relationship.

Outside the court, Higgins expressed her relief and satisfaction with the verdict, stating, "I feel that justice has been served and I couldn’t be happier." The judge, Rodney Jameson QC, condemned Appleyard’s actions, highlighting the vulnerability of his victim. He remarked, "She was a vulnerable child, partly because of your violence towards her, partly because of violence she witnessed by you towards her mother. You abused her repeatedly — essentially for 12 months you treated her as your wife. You used her for sex and abused her physically, as you did with your [actual] wife."

Further details of the abuse emerged during the trial, including an incident where Appleyard raped Higgins in a cabin while they were on a Scandinavian cruise. Higgins recounted how her father wanted to treat her "like a wife" and expressed a desire to "live together happily ever after." She also revealed that she had reported the abuse to police as early as 1985, but was discouraged from pursuing the case due to fears it would damage her reputation.

In addition to the sexual abuse, Higgins described instances of physical violence and threats. She recounted how her mother was threatened with a machete for having a "sex dream," and how her father once pointed a shotgun at her head. The court also heard from Appleyard’s son, Paul, who testified that he had seen his father kissing his sister in the kitchen and once saw her in her underwear in her father’s bedroom with the house doors locked.

Following the conviction, West Yorkshire Police confirmed they are investigating further allegations related to the case. Superintendent Richard Crinnion condemned Appleyard’s actions, describing them as an "appalling catalogue of sexual abuse" and emphasizing the betrayal of trust involved. Appleyard has been remanded in custody and is scheduled for sentencing shortly, with the court acknowledging the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victim.