Gary Henshall, 65, of Greenacres Drive, Batley, West Yorkshire was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday 25 April 2025.
After repeatedly changing his plea about the seven offences he was accused of, the judge refused Henshall’s final not guilty plea on 21 February 2025 when he was found guilty by the judge.
The charges, relating to a period between 2020 and 2022, include three counts of sexual assault by penetration and four counts of sexual touching against a girl aged under 13.
Detective Constable Sophie Wilson, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a very difficult case, and I cannot praise the victim and her family enough for standing up for what is right and seeking justice against Henshall.
“Henshall also dragged out their suffering by repeatedly changing his plea. The judge’s intervention ensured that justice has been served, and I hope the victim and her family can draw strength from the outcome at court.”
As well as the custodial sentence of 12 years with an extension of five years, Henshall has also been placed on the Register of Sex Offenders for life and been made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
