Charles Andrew Chapman

Charles Andrew Chapman, a 61-year-old man from Selby, has been imprisoned for 20 years following his conviction for a series of horrendous historical sexual abuses against two young girls in the Harrogate area. The offences, which occurred more than a decade ago, involved severe violations including rape and other forms of sexual assault on children.

At York Crown Court on 27 February 2025, Chapman was found guilty of 19 counts related to the non-recent sexual abuse. The charges encompassed a range of serious sexual offences, demonstrating the prolonged and repeated nature of the abuse. The victims, who were children at the time, displayed remarkable courage in coming forward, enabling the authorities to bring Chapman to justice despite his consistent denials throughout the investigation.

• Rape of a girl under 13
• Assault of a girl under 13 by penetration
• Causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity (both penetration and non-penetration)
• Causing or inciting a girl aged 13-15 to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Assault of a girl under 13 by penetration
• Assault of a girl under 13 by touching
• Engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15
• Engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13
• Attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child aged 13-15

In addition to the 20-year custodial sentence, Chapman will serve one year on licence upon release. He has been placed on the Register of Sex Offenders for life and subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to protect the public from further harm. The case was investigated by North Yorkshire Police, with Detective Sergeant Kirsty Smith leading the effort. She commended the victims' bravery, stating, 'I highly commend the bravery of both victims in reporting the horrendous sexual abuse they suffered as children at the hands of this vile man.' Smith further noted that Chapman denied the allegations, forcing the victims to endure the ordeal of giving evidence in court, but their determination ensured justice was served.

The offences highlight the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and underscore the importance of reporting such crimes, no matter how much time has passed. This case, reported by the Harrogate Advertiser on 28 March 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences for perpetrators and the resilience required from survivors to seek accountability.