Halifax man jailed for historic sex offences

Jeffrey Kirby, aged 61, of Prescott Street in Halifax, was sentenced today at Bradford Crown Court for offences against four females which were committed over a decade, police said.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

The case against Kirby began in November 2015, when police received a report alleging he had sexually assaulted two girls at an address in the Calderdale area.

The investigation by Calderdale District Safeguarding Unit identified more victims which resulted in Kirby being charged in September 2017 with indecent assault and sexual touching offences against five victims between 1997 and 2007.

He was found guilty on ten counts against four of the victims following a trial at Bradford Crown Court, which ended on Thursday.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant John Moore, said: “We would like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward to report these offences.

“We hope the sentence Kirby has received today will give them some closure and allow them to move forward with their lives.

“We also hope it will encourage other victims to come forward and report sexual offences to our specially trained officers, who will investigate all allegations thoroughly and sensitively.

“West Yorkshire Police and partners are committed to tackling child sexual exploitation in all its forms and bringing perpetrators to justice and we would urge anyone with concerns to report these to their local Safeguarding Unit on 101.”