JOSEPH GRIFFIN OF HUDDERSFIELD SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In April 2001, Joseph Griffin, a karate instructor from Huddersfield, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of abusing young boys over a span of 30 years. A judge described him as a "truly evil and dangerous man". Prosecutors revealed that Griffin used his martial arts club as a means to groom boys for sexual abuse, some of whom were as young as nine. Bradford Crown Court heard that Griffin would sometimes give the boys alcohol before coercing them into degrading sex acts.

According to court reports, some of these abuses occurred at Griffin’s home, while others took place during trips to London, Swansea, and in a caravan at Bridlington. One victim was so traumatized that he experienced nightmares and was observed sleepwalking while shouting "No, No". Another boy had become so conditioned to Griffin’s advances that he would automatically remove his trousers whenever Griffin pointed to them, the court was told. The youngest of the victims was only nine years old.

Joseph Griffin, 55, of The Old Schoolhouse, Golcar, Huddersfield, pleaded guilty to 21 serious sexual offences. Additional charges are expected to be formally filed. Born in County Galway, Ireland, Griffin was introduced to homosexual practices at age 13 by a Catholic priest. After relocating to England at 18, he established himself as a skilled karate teacher well-respected within the sport. He was also a trusted, well-liked member of Huddersfield’s Irish Catholic community, with some parents of his victims even raising money for the karate club.

During sentencing, Judge Alistair McCallum condemned Griffin as "truly an evil and dangerous man". The judge expressed concern that Griffin would likely reoffend upon release from prison, stating, "It makes one shudder to realise that a human being could be so degrading." He highlighted that the case contained every possible aggravating feature and emphasized that Griffin’s abuse was a breach of the trust parents placed in him to care for their children. Describing Griffin’s conduct as "despicable" and "appalling," the judge remarked that this was the worst case of "disgusting sexual perversion" he had encountered.

The court ordered Griffin to serve at least eight years before any possibility of parole and warned the parole board to exercise great caution before considering his release. Upon eventual release, Griffin will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Marion Colby of the Kirklees child protection unit welcomed the sentence but acknowledged the profound impact on the victims. She stated, "This has had a devastating effect on them and will continue to do so for the rest of their lives. What he did has destroyed families—they feel totally and utterly betrayed by him. The whole of the Irish Catholic community in Huddersfield has been let down by him. He was very well thought of and they trusted him with their children. This act of complete betrayal has destroyed them."

Det Con Colby also mentioned that Griffin’s oldest victim is now in his 40s, with the youngest just nine. She expressed hope that the victims would seek counseling and find a way to move forward, ending with the remark, "We could not have hoped for a better sentence."