JULIAN PIKE FROM NORTH YORKSHIRE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In May 2014, Julian Pike, a 48-year-old man from North Yorkshire, was sentenced to over four years in prison for child sex offences. Pike, who resides in Lowfield, Gayle, Hawes, had asked a young girl for a pair of her used knickers and was found in possession of a disturbing collection of indecent images. He had purchased cigarettes and alcohol for his young victims with the apparent intent to groom them for sexual exploitation.

Despite admitting to two counts of inciting sexual activity with a child and 13 counts of possessing or making indecent images, Pike was reported to remain in denial about his actions and believed he had done nothing wrong. During his court appearance at Teesside Crown Court, Pike was brought in in a wheelchair and sat passively throughout proceedings.

The court heard that concerns were raised by the mother of one of Pike’s victims regarding his inappropriate behavior with her daughter. The girl recounted that Pike described piercings on his penis when giving her a lift in his car. She also revealed that he contacted her via Facebook to complain she hadn't thanked him for buying her cigarettes. When she stated she would thank him, Pike responded, “Ok, but I expect tongues.”

Pike also asked the girl for her underwear. When her mother confronted him, he claimed he was drunk during the exchanges and had forgotten her age.

In a separate incident at a music festival, Pike bought alcohol for a young girl and insisted on escorting her home, placing his arm around her and calling her “special.” He also told her about losing his virginity at 14. The girl, attempting to escape, locked herself in a toilet at her grandmother’s house.

Pike was arrested at his home on May 18 of the previous year, where police discovered a number of indecent images and videos on his computer. His barrister, Robert Mochrie, described Pike as being in poor health due to a degenerative disease and suggested that boredom contributed to some of his offending, as Pike was unable to go out frequently.

The Judge, Simon Bourne-Arton, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, stated that Pike posed a significant danger to young girls and had a “predatory interest” in them. He highlighted that some of the images found were among the most disturbing. Remarking on Pike's continued denial, the judge said, “The fact you remain in denial is deeply disturbing.”

Taking into account Pike’s health and lack of prior convictions, the judge sentenced him to four years and three months in prison. Pike will also be subject to a sexual offences prevention order and placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Following the case, Detective Constable Steve Alderson of North Yorkshire Police commented, “I would like to thank the victims in this case for having the bravery to come forward. I hope they feel that justice has been done and they can now move forward with their lives.”