In a statement released on 20th January, 2023, West Yorkshire Police said that a man previously sentenced to almost 20 years for a string of child sexual offences has been jailed for three more years following further investigation.
Mark Greenwood, formerly of King Street, Normanton and now held in HMP Wakefield, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to six sexual offences and three counts of making indecent images of a child.
He pleaded guilty to multiple rapes and sexual assaults of his first victim in 2019. He also took photographs and filmed himself abusing the child. He attempted to minimise this horrific offending by claiming his victim enjoyed the abuse.
Following his conviction, a second complainant came forward to report that she had been abused by Greenwood when she was just eight years old.
Detectives at the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit opened an investigation into this report and Greenwood was later charged with sexual assault.
After initially denying the charge, the 57-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before Leeds Crown Court in November, 2022. He was sentenced o the same day the WYP statement was released.
He remains on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and subject to indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detective Constable Will Denton, of the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit, said:
“We welcome the extension to Greenwood’s sentence and commend the bravery of the victim and her family for coming forward and speaking with our officers.
“There is no doubt that he is a dangerous man who deserves to remain behind bars for a substantial amount of time.
“I hope this result will encourage other victims to engage with our specially trained officers who work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.”
In his sentencing remarks, HHJ Christopher Batty, who also presided over the 2019 trial, said: “The one thing that becomes absolutely apparent is that I was totally right when I took the view that you were dangerous.”
“Any sentence I impose today can’t in any way reflect the damage you have done. She is so traumatised that she was initially not prepared to give a statement because she did not want to relive it again.”
Anyone with child safeguarding concerns is advised to contact either West Yorkshire Police or their local authority’s children’s social services.
Page last updated at 0655hrs on Saturday 21st January, 2023
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