Man jailed for 21 years for 'absolutely abhorrent' abuse of boys in Barnsley

A Barnsley man has begun serving a 21-year sentence after being jailed for child sex offences.

Shane Simpson, 38, of Edmunds Road, Worsborough Dale, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday after a week-long trial.

He had been found guilty of nine separate charges of rape and sexual activity with two boys under the age of 16.

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Detective Constable Andy Anstey, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “Both of the victims suffered absolutely abhorrent abuse at the hands of Simpson and were incredibly brave in coming forward to tell police what had happened to them.

“Simpson originally denied the charges against him and as such was brought to trial as a result of a lengthy and complex investigation and the support of the victims.

“His victims had to endure the trauma of having to recount details in court, before Simpson was convicted by a jury for these truly horrendous crimes.

An investigation began in September 2015 after the abuse was reported to police.

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It found Simpson had abused the two victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, over a number of years in Barnsley.

In addition to the jail term, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Det Con Anstey said: “I hope this shows that South Yorkshire Police will pursue any offender found to have been committing such vile crimes and I’d urge anyone who has been affected by sexual abuse of any sort to contact us.”

To report concerns for a child, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or phone police on 101.