The Ripon Paedophile, James Laing, has received an 18-year prison sentence for the rape and sexual abuse of multiple young children.
James Laing, 39, of Ripon, was convicted at trial of two counts of raping a child under 13, six counts of sexual assault of a child, inducing a child under 13 to participate in sexual conduct, and attempted sexual assault of a child under 13.
James Laing received an 18-year prison sentence at York Crown Court on Friday and was permanently registered as a sex offender.
Police staff investigator for North Yorkshire Police, Lorraine Whipp, said: “James Laing denied the offences throughout the whole investigation, therefore making his victims face the trauma of giving evidence against him in court.”
She added: “James Laing has taken away the childhood of his victims, abusing them in the worst way possible.
“In their own words, James Laing has ruined their lives, and although they are glad they are now safe and no-one can hurt them, it has also affected their trust in men.”
Ms Whipp said the victims had been “incredibly brave” in reporting what had happened to them, and had found the court process “extremely difficult”.
“I sincerely hope that the children can put this horrendous abuse and the experience behind them with the help of the agencies who are supporting them and live happy lives knowing that their abuser, James Laing, can no longer harm them,” she said.
She said she hoped this outcome would encourage other victims of abuse to come forward knowing that “they will be believed, listened to and supported”.
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