Bridlington man found guilty over string of sex offences

David Howie, 52, carried out both physical assaults on his young victim and incited her to engage in sexual activity online.

He was convicted at Preston Crown Court of 12 counts of sexual assault on a child under 13 Contrary to s7 Sexual Offences Act 2003 and Causing or Inciting a Child under 13 to Engage in Sexual Activity contrary to s8 Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The abuse took place between 2016 and 2020 in the Blackburn and Scarborough areas when the girl was aged between nine and 12.

He was found not guilty of a further two offences.

Det Con Jo Billington, of the East Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said: “David Howie has taken advantage of this young girl to satisfy his own perverted sexual desires and by doing so has effectively stolen her innocence.

“I would like to commend her for having the courage to both come forward and disclose what happened to her and for going through the court process which has meant reliving her abuse.

“I hope this conviction, and the sentence which will follow, will give others who may have suffered similar abuse the courage to speak up in the knowledge that we will believe them, we will investigate professionally and sensitively, and we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Howie will be sentenced in February next year.