In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that, then 52-year-old, David Raymond May was sentenced to five years in prison for a sickening sexual assault on a very young girl. Appearing at York Crown Court on Wednesday, 13 November 2019, the defendant—of York, North Yorkshire—pleaded guilty to indecent assault on the first day of his trial. It was reported that the assault occurred between 1996 and 1998, when May was in his 30s and the victim was aged only six or seven.
The investigation established that May was known to the girl’s family, despite his earlier claims of having no knowledge of her. North Yorkshire Police reported that while both were visiting a house in York, May groomed the child by offering her money and isolating her in another part of the property to carry out the assault. The prosecution reported that May attempted to cover up his crimes by telling the girl it was their secret, leading to many years of anguish before she bravely reported the incident in September 2018.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the abuse had a massive and lasting impact on every aspect of the victim’s life. York Crown Court heard from Detective Constable Alastair Foy, who led the York CID investigation, that the victim had felt like damaged goods for decades. The investigation established that May was already a convicted sex offender, having previously received a six-year sentence at Lincoln Crown Court in May 2005 for indecent assaults on a different seven-year-old girl between 2003 and 2004.
Judge Sean Morris handed May a five-year custodial sentence, followed by an extended licence period of a further year. For his actions in York, the judge noted that May would not be automatically released after serving half his sentence; instead, his case must be referred to the Parole Board to determine if he remains a risk to the public. The court praised the victim as a strong and resilient woman whose courage finally brought a perverted and pernicious offender to justice.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of David Raymond May as of late 2019 was as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 5 years (Sentenced November 2019).
- Extended Licence: 1 year (Post-prison supervision).
- Release Status: Subject to Parole Board approval (No automatic halfway release).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at York Crown Court following a North Yorkshire Police investigation.
- Origin: York, North Yorkshire.
Monitoring and Public Protection
May is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) as a high-risk predator within the North Yorkshire area. Due to the nature of his conduct in York, which involved the grooming and isolation of a six-year-old girl, his management is a maximum priority. Authorities state that his history of repeat offending against children in both York and Lincoln requires the most intensive, lifelong supervision by the Public Protection Unit.
As a registered sex offender for life, May’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that his predatory behavior in North Yorkshire requires permanent vigilance to ensure he adheres to his indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which strictly restricts his access to children. Any future attempt to approach minors, move address without notification, or breach his licence conditions will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the community and to uphold the protection of children from a confirmed repeat offender.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.