Malcolm Peter Barwick

A 68-year-old man from Ripon, Malcolm Peter Barwick, has been jailed for over six years following his guilty plea to historic child sex abuse offences committed in Harrogate.

The abuse took place at Barwick's home on Woodfield Drive in Harrogate, where he sexually abused a young victim between April 2014 and April 2015. The victim, now in her early 20s, bravely reported the abuse to North Yorkshire Police in June 2023, prompting an investigation by Harrogate CID.

Barwick appeared at York Crown Court, where he was sentenced to six and a half years in jail. In addition to the custodial sentence, he was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Detective Constable Matthew Reeve of North Yorkshire Police commented on the case, stating: “The effect this case has had on the victim has caused a lifetime of trauma and has deeply affected her. She showed true bravery in reporting the matter to the police and seeing the case through. I really hope this outcome will give her the strength to move on from this horrendous experience.” He further described Barwick as “a predator who targets vulnerable youths and grooms them for his own sexual gratification. Dangerous and manipulative offenders like him deserve to be behind bars.”

The sentencing underscores the long-term impact of such crimes and the importance of victims coming forward, as reported by The Stray Ferret.