Ashley Nibbs

A Bradford man, Ashley Nibbs, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the rape and sexual assault of a young schoolgirl. The case, heard at Bradford Crown Court, highlights the devastating impact of child sexual abuse in the community.

Nibbs, aged 34 and residing in Wickham Green, Holme Wood, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault. The offences involved a young girl whose identity is protected by law. Court proceedings revealed that immediately after the assaults, Nibbs denied any wrongdoing and accused the victim of lying, exacerbating her distress. The abuse has left the victim suffering from nightmares, as detailed in the court hearing.

Appearing via video link from HMP Leeds, Nibbs faced sentencing before Judge Jonathan Gibson on Wednesday. Despite his guilty plea at an earlier hearing, a pre-sentence report indicated that Nibbs continued to deny the offences. The judge noted the strong evidence against him and emphasised that Nibbs had only himself to blame for the catastrophic consequences of his actions.

• Offences: Two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault against a child.
• Plea: Guilty, entered at a previous hearing.
• Sentence Reduction: 25% discount applied due to the guilty plea; without it, the term would have been 12 years.

Barrister Brooke Morrison, representing Nibbs, argued for leniency, stating that her client had no relevant previous convictions and was facing an extremely daunting prospect. She highlighted Nibbs' diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, which had worsened in prison, and the daily abuse he was receiving, including fears for his life. Morrison added, 'Since his arrest for these offences he has lost everything.' However, Judge Gibson prioritised the seriousness of the sexual abuse, describing it as a grave offence against the complainant.

In addition to the nine-year custodial sentence, which Nibbs must serve two-thirds of, the court imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with females under 18. He is also required to register as a sex offender for life. The case was investigated by West Yorkshire Police, with images provided by the force used in media coverage.

This sentencing underscores the judiciary's firm stance on child sex offences, ensuring perpetrators face significant consequences to protect vulnerable individuals in society.