Man, 70, jailed for child-sex offences

Terrance O’Donnell, of Mawfa Walk in Gleadless, Sheffield, pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to six counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape of a child.

The offences date back to the 1970s, when O’Donnell abused two young girls in South Yorkshire. The victims reported the historic abuse to police in October 2012 and O’Donnell was arrested, before being charged in January 2014 after a lengthy police investigation. O’Donnell pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted rape of a child and one count of gross indecency.

Detective Constable David Wilson of South Yorkshire Police, said: “O’Donnell continually denied his offending throughout the police investigation.

“Due to the years that passed between the offences occurring and the offences coming to the attention of the police, I am sure that he thought he had got away with these crimes.

“O’Donnell’s past offending has now caught up with him and I hope the verdict today brings some comfort and closure to the victims. The bravery and dignity they have shown throughout our investigation is truly commendable and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their courage.

“I would also hope that the conclusion of proceedings today demonstrates that sexual abuse of young and vulnerable people will not be tolerated in South Yorkshire.”