NEVILLE CORBETT PONTEFRACT CHILD ABUSER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON

In a case that has shocked the community of Pontefract, Neville Corbett, a 66-year-old pensioner, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for a series of heinous sexual offences involving two young girls. The disturbing revelations emerged during a court hearing at Leeds Crown Court, where prosecutors detailed how Corbett’s criminal activities came to light amid an investigation into his online behavior.

According to Paul Reid, the prosecutor, police had initially begun probing Corbett after discovering that he had been using the internet to access and share child pornography. Authorities seized his computer equipment as part of their investigation, which uncovered evidence of his involvement in downloading indecent images of children through various file-sharing sites. The discovery of this material prompted further inquiries into Corbett’s activities.

One of Corbett’s victims, a young girl, confided in her mother about her visit to Corbett’s home, during which she had seen something disturbing on his computer. This revelation led to police questioning the girl, who then disclosed that Corbett had sexually abused her during multiple visits over the years. She recounted that the abuse had ceased by the time she was seven, after Corbett told her she was “growing up.”

The emotional testimony from the girl was heart-wrenching; she was described as being extremely distressed, crying uncontrollably as she recounted the abuse. She also revealed that she had seen children without clothes on Corbett’s computer, a detail that added to the gravity of the case.

Further investigations uncovered that a second girl, a friend of the first victim, had also been subjected to sexual assault by Corbett. When questioned, Corbett admitted to stopping his offending behavior, claiming he knew what he was doing was wrong. He insisted to police, “I’m not a sexual predator,” despite the evidence against him.

Corbett, who resides on Kingsway in Pontefract, pleaded guilty to two counts of oral rape and six sexual assaults. His defense attorney, Michael Collins, highlighted that Corbett had no prior criminal record, emphasizing the shock of his offending. Collins also pointed out the severe consequences Corbett faced, including losing contact with his children and grandchildren, the loss of his home, and complete social isolation. One of his lifelong friends, who had known him for 38 years, had ceased communication, illustrating the profound personal toll.

Judge Peter Collier QC, the Recorder of Leeds, sentenced Corbett to ten years in prison. He also ordered Corbett to register as a sex offender indefinitely. The judge expressed his condemnation of Corbett’s actions, stating, “Until a few weeks ago, you were an ordinary man living a normal family life, but you were hiding a terrible secret. All of this came to light when you were discovered downloading internet porn.”

The judge acknowledged that the offences were serious but noted that Corbett’s decision to stop his offending and his guilty plea were mitigating factors. The court also revealed that the analysis of Corbett’s computer was still ongoing, suggesting that further evidence might emerge in the future.