Carlysle Noel

Carlysle Noel, a 68-year-old man from Beverley Road in East Driffield, Humberside, has been imprisoned for nine years following his conviction for child sexual abuse offences committed in York more than three decades ago. The case, reported by the York Press on 15 December 2021, highlights a long-overdue pursuit of justice for historical sexual crimes against a child.

The offences occurred at a house in the York area, where Noel subjected a young girl to three counts of indecent assault. These acts took place over 30 years prior to the sentencing, underscoring the enduring impact of such abuse. In May 2020, the victim bravely reported the incidents to North Yorkshire Police, prompting a thorough investigation by the force's Non-Recent Abuse Investigation Team. This inquiry led to Noel being charged in January 2021 with four counts of indecent assault. At York Crown Court, he was found guilty of three counts last month before the sentencing hearing on 14 December 2021, though acquitted on one related charge.

During the trial, Noel persistently denied the allegations, forcing the victim to relive the trauma through court proceedings. Presiding at York Crown Court, the judge imposed a nine-year custodial sentence, along with a one-year period on prison release licence. Additionally, Noel was subjected to a stringent Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting 16 years and will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely. These measures aim to protect the public and prevent future harm.

Detective Sergeant Alex Jackson of North Yorkshire Police commended the victim's courage in a statement following the sentencing: 'This victim has been truly courageous in coming forward to report these harrowing crimes which she has personally endured for three decades. More than that, Noel continuously denied all the offences throughout the investigation. He therefore put the victim through the additional trauma of the trial during which she has shown incredible strength to finally see justice being delivered for her. Nothing will ever recover the innocent childhood that this sickening man stole away from her all those years ago, but I really hope that the outcome at court will help the healing process and be the start of a much happier future.' The case was prosecuted under North Yorkshire Police's jurisdiction, with the trial and sentencing occurring at York Crown Court.