Barnsley man jailed after victims speak up about historic child sex offences

BARNSLEY MAN JAILED AFTER VICTIMS SPEAK UP ABOUT HISTORIC CHILD SEX OFFENCES

A Barnsley man has been jailed for eight years - after being convicted of child sexual offences which happened more than 25 years ago.

47 year old Lee Prior, of Bly Road, admitted five different charges at Sheffield Crown Court on February 9.

The abuse was targeted against several young girls between 1999 and 2001.

Prior's offending came to light in October 2021, when one victim reported a non-recent sexual assault from her childhood.

Enquiries led to the identification of another person with similar experiences.

Despite initially denying the offences during a police interview on in November 2021, Prior was charged and later pleaded guilty to all counts on November 4 last year.

Laura Clarke, the officer in charge of the for South Yorkshire Police, said: “Prior put his victims through hell.

He targeted vulnerable children and took their innocence from them.

“It has been a long road, but I hope that this result assures victims of sexual abuse that no matter when the offences occurred, whether it was months, years, or decades ago, we will be relentless in getting justice for victims.”