LUKE MATTHEW FROM WEST BOWLING SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND GROOMING IN BRADFORD

In a case that has shocked the local community, Luke Matthew, a man residing in West Bowling, was sentenced to a total of five years in prison following his conviction for serious sexual offenses. The incidents took place over a span of time, with the most recent assault occurring on New Year’s Eve, and involved both a brutal rape and the grooming of a vulnerable under-age girl.

According to court proceedings at Bradford Crown Court, Luke Matthew, aged 37, forcibly raped a woman after a night out in December 2011. The court heard that during the assault, Matthew subjected his victim to a disturbing psychological tactic by forcing her to watch the attack unfold in a mirror, an act that added a layer of trauma to an already heinous crime. The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, provided a victim statement in which she described the profound impact the assault has had on her mental health. She revealed that she now suffers from anxiety, experiences episodes of insomnia, and is plagued by flashbacks that continually remind her of the traumatic event.

It was also disclosed that the woman did not report the incident immediately. Instead, she waited until Matthew’s subsequent actions brought the case to light. The court learned that after the assault, Matthew entered into a relationship with a 15-year-old girl, which raised further concerns about his conduct. In September 2013, Matthew and the teenage girl began exchanging text messages and communicating via Facebook, even while she was living away from her parents. Prosecutor Denise Breen-Lawton explained that Matthew suggested they meet up, claiming they could “have fun, but not sex,” due to the girl’s age. At one point, he even invited her to join him in bed, an invitation that underscored his inappropriate and predatory behavior.

Concerned by the girl’s mother, who confronted Matthew about her daughter’s contact with him, the communication between Matthew and the teenager ceased. The police were alerted after the victim came forward, and Matthew was arrested on September 20, 2013, in connection with both the rape and grooming offenses. During police interviews, Matthew admitted to the charges, acknowledging his guilt in both cases. His defense team, led by barrister Andrew Walker, did not attempt to excuse his actions but highlighted that Matthew expressed remorse for the harm caused to both victims.

Judge Peter Benson, presiding over the case, delivered the sentence, emphasizing the severity of Matthew’s crimes. He stated, “It is clear to me she made it crystal clear she didn’t want sex and was not consenting in any way. You used physical force to force her to have sex with you.” Regarding the grooming offense, the judge added, “The nature of the communication became more sexually-charged, and you invited her to join you in bed. What you proposed amounted to what used to be called heavy petting. She was a vulnerable child and you knew that.”

As a result, Luke Matthew was sentenced to four and a half years for the rape, with an additional six months for grooming a child. Furthermore, he was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.