STUART HELM FROM HORSFORTH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN LEEDS AND BRADFORD

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the West Yorkshire community, Stuart Helm, a resident of Horsforth, was convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving young boys. Helm, who is currently employed by Yorkshire Water, was living in the Horsforth area of West Yorkshire at the time of his arrest and subsequent trial. His criminal activities, which spanned several years, have garnered significant attention from law enforcement and the local community alike.

Helm, aged 29, appeared in Leeds Crown Court where he was handed a three-year prison sentence. During the proceedings, he was visibly emotional, weeping in the dock as the judge, Guy Kearl, QC, delivered the verdict. The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “All your victims were vulnerable, some more vulnerable than others, and the sentence must be of immediate imprisonment.”

Details of the case revealed that Helm’s offenses included two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The court was informed that Helm was able to exploit his position of trust and access to vulnerable children to carry out his crimes.

Prosecutor Robin Mairs outlined that Helm had managed to contact three young boys, gaining their trust under false pretenses. Many of the offenses involved Helm pretending to be concerned about the victims’ health, which was a manipulative tactic used to gain their confidence. Once trust was established, Helm would persuade the children to remove their clothing, then proceed to touch their private parts, committing acts of sexual assault.

One of Helm’s victims endured multiple assaults over a period of time. The court heard that Helm instructed the child to keep the incidents secret, which has had a lasting impact on the young person’s sense of safety and well-being. The court also learned that Helm had attempted to contact underage boys in America, engaging in online communication via webcam with the intent of encouraging sexual activity. This international element added further gravity to his offenses.

Robin Mairs highlighted that grooming was a significant aspect of Helm’s offending pattern, indicating a calculated effort to manipulate and exploit vulnerable children. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of these crimes and the need to protect children from predators like Helm, who used their positions of trust to commit heinous acts.