Doncaster man jailed for sexually abusing girl, 8, in 1980s

Nigel Platts, formerly of Wheatley, Doncaster, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced after being found guilty of rape at a hearing earlier last week.

He was jailed for 10 years.

The court heard how Platts abused his victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in the 1980s in Doncaster.

An investigation was launched after the abuse came to late in 2015, when the victim, now an adult, came forward.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Brian Thompson, investigating officer, praised the "courage" of Platts victim throughout the investigation.

He said: “I am extremely humbled by the courage shown by the victim and by the way she has conducted herself throughout this lengthy inquiry.

“It became clear from our investigation that our victim had for many years spoken to her friends and family about the awful abuse she suffered in the 1980s, but never reported it because she felt she had left it too late for anything to be done.

“Despite the passage of over 30 years, I am pleased that justice has finally caught up with Platts and that we have been able to put him behind bars. His lengthy sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and reflects how seriously this matter has been taken.

“I hope that this brave woman, who has sadly been traumatised as a result of Platt’s offending, can now begin to look forward to a more positive future for herself knowing that Platts is in prison.

“If there are other victims out there yet to come forward, who have concerns about the length of time that has passed, please get in touch and talk to someone about what has happened to you. You can be assured that police will listen, we will take your reports seriously and we will do everything we can to bring these matters before the courts.”