Bartosz Bella

A 40-year-old man from Sheffield has been imprisoned for 21 years following his conviction for a series of heinous sexual offences against two young girls. Bartosz Bella, residing in the Manor area of the city, targeted victims aged 12 and 16, subjecting them to harrowing abuse over a four-year period. The court heard harrowing details of how Bella manipulated and assaulted the girls, including beating them and forcing them to engage in sexual acts.

Bella first appeared before Sheffield Crown Court in December 2022, where he was found guilty by a jury on three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual assault. The jury could not reach a verdict on five additional charges, leading to a re-trial being scheduled. On the fourth day of the re-trial proceedings, Bella pleaded guilty to all remaining five charges. Sheffield Crown Court subsequently sentenced him to 21 years' imprisonment, reflecting the severity of his crimes against vulnerable children.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Bella was issued with a restraining order prohibiting contact with his two victims and was mandated to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely. The case was investigated by South Yorkshire Police, with Detective Constable Rina Ganatra, the officer in charge, highlighting the profound impact of the abuse. "The two victims in this case suffered harrowing abuse by Bella and I am pleased that he will now be serving a lengthy sentence behind bars for his heinous crimes," DC Ganatra stated. She praised the victims' bravery, noting, "I would like to thank the victims for their bravery and strength shown in this case. The serious harm caused by sexual assault can be life-long, but I hope that with time and support, the young victims can begin to move on with their lives and go onto a happy adulthood."

The offences underscore the long-term grooming and exploitation tactics employed by Bella, who exploited his position to perpetrate repeated assaults. This case, reported by ITV News Calendar on 13 February 2024, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of child sexual abuse and the importance of reporting such crimes to authorities.