JOHN WRIGHT OF HUDDERSFIELD AND LOCKWOOD SENTENCED INDEFINITELY FOR KIDNAP ATTEMPT AND SEXUAL OFFENCES

In a serious case that has shocked the communities of Huddersfield and Lockwood, John Wright, a 38-year-old man with a troubling history, has been sentenced to an indefinite period of imprisonment following a failed kidnapping attempt involving a young schoolboy. The incident took place in a street in Lockwood, where Wright, who was wanted by police for questioning related to previous sexual offences against another minor, targeted a 12-year-old boy walking to school last December.

According to court proceedings, the young boy was walking ahead of his mother and sister when Wright suddenly approached him, grabbing him around the shoulders in an aggressive manner. Prosecutor Denise Breen-Lawton described how Wright then threatened the boy, telling him to cease struggling or he would be stabbed. Although the child did not see a weapon, police later recovered Wright’s discarded black jacket and a kitchen knife with a black handle from nearby waste ground shortly after the incident.

During the confrontation, Wright reportedly told the boy, “I want you to come with me. Stop struggling or I’ll stab you.” The boy’s mother, witnessing the scene, rushed towards her son and shouted at Wright. In response, Wright looked her in the eye before fleeing the scene. The court was told that the police believed Wright’s intentions were either to cause serious physical harm, commit a sexual assault, or possibly both, given the context of his actions.

Further investigations revealed that in the days leading up to the attempted kidnapping, Wright had been in contact with police officers regarding allegations of sexual abuse involving another young boy. Wright, who resides on Woodhead Road in Lockwood, had traveled to the Midlands after the initial allegations surfaced but failed to attend a scheduled meeting with detectives three days prior to the incident involving the schoolboy.

Details of the sexual offences are protected by law to safeguard the victim’s identity, but it was disclosed that the offences involved a game of “heads and tails,” where a coin was flipped, and the loser was required to perform a dare. The court heard that Wright had caused or incited a child to engage in sexual activity and had sent harassing text messages to relatives of the victim after the offences came to light.

Wright also admitted to attempting to kidnap the schoolboy during the court proceedings. His defense lawyer, Neil Murphy, acknowledged the seriousness of the charges and revealed that Wright had himself been a victim of sexual abuse in the past. Murphy stated that at the time of the incident, Wright was heavily intoxicated and claimed that his actions were motivated by a desire to commit robbery rather than sexual assault.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC described Wright’s behavior as irrational, likening it to a “cat and mouse” game with the police following the sexual allegations. The judge noted that by the morning of the attempted kidnapping, Wright was threatening suicide and expressing self-pity. He also highlighted that Wright had repeatedly threatened to stab the boy, emphasizing the danger he posed.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Durham Hall characterized Wright as impulsive, “warped,” and an alcoholic. He concluded that Wright’s actions indicated a high risk of causing serious harm to others, particularly young persons. As a result, the judge imposed a sentence of indefinite imprisonment for public protection, stating that Wright posed a substantial threat to society.

Additionally, Wright will be required to register as a sex offender for life and will be subject to a lifetime sexual offences prevention order. The judge specified that Wright must serve a minimum of six years before his case can be reviewed by the Parole Board. Despite the indefinite nature of the sentence, Judge Durham Hall emphasized that it was akin to a life sentence, reflecting the severity of the risk Wright presents to the community of Huddersfield and Lockwood.