HARRY WOOD SEACROFT SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 36 YEARS BEFORE DEATH

In a tragic and disturbing case that has left a lasting scar on the victims, Harry Wood, a sex offender from Seacroft, was finally brought to justice after a lengthy legal process. The 59-year-old man, who had been suffering from a terminal illness, was sentenced to 36 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes committed over several decades. His victims, all now adults, included girls as young as two and as old as 17, and their suffering has been laid bare in court proceedings that revealed the full extent of his depravity.

Wood’s crimes spanned from when he was just 11 years old until he was 40, involving rape, attempted rape, gross indecency with a child, attempted buggery, and numerous indecent assaults. The court heard that his actions inflicted lifelong trauma on his victims, many of whom have struggled with depression and anxiety as a direct result of his abuse. The court was told that Wood’s conduct was characterized by violence, threats, and a callous disregard for the well-being of his victims.

During the sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court, emotional victim impact statements were read aloud, revealing the profound and lasting damage caused by Wood’s actions. Two of the women, who had endured his abuse, chose to speak directly to him in court. One tearfully stated, “You ruined my childhood. You did not care about my screams and me begging you to leave me alone. All you care about is yourself. You put me through so much pain. You are going to hell, and believe me, the devil is going to be waiting there for you.”

Another victim expressed a more philosophical perspective, saying, “I do not hate you. Only God can judge a person. I am reading this to give you an understanding of how this has affected me growing up.” Prosecutor David Hall also read statements from other victims, one of which declared, “This man made me suffer. I hope he suffers for the rest of his life in prison — because he is a monster.”

Throughout the court proceedings, it was evident that Wood’s actions had left deep psychological scars. The victims described suffering from depression and anxiety for many years following their abuse. The court heard that many of Wood’s offenses would now be classified as rape under current legislation, highlighting the severity of his crimes.

Harry Wood, who resided on Borrowdale Terrace in Seacroft, appeared in court via video link from Armley jail. He was visibly frail, seated in a wheelchair, and using an inhaler during the hearing. His medical condition had significantly worsened since his trial in December of the previous year, which was abandoned due to his illness. Prosecutors announced they would not seek a re-trial given his deteriorating health.

During the hearing, the court was informed of the brutal nature of Wood’s offenses. He had subjected his victims to degrading attacks, often employing violence and threats to silence them. He also threatened harm to their relatives if they ever disclosed his abuse. The court heard that many of his acts would constitute serious criminal offenses under modern laws.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Christopher Batty condemned Wood’s selfishness and callousness. He stated, “The selfishness of people like you is quite breathtaking. Life revolves around your sexual gratification, and you are prepared to use anyone to satisfy your needs, with a callous disregard for the consequences upon their lives.” The judge’s words underscored the gravity of Wood’s crimes and the profound impact on his victims’ lives.

Tragically, Harry Wood died just ten days into his prison sentence, a victim of his own terminal illness. His death occurred before he could serve the full sentence, leaving a somber reflection on the justice served and the pain endured by those he harmed.