Harehills Sexual Predator Brought To Justice After Years Of Abusing Victim

Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Thursday, 24th October 2024, at 17:20hrs

He was found guilty of nine sex offences following a trial

A man responsible for a sustained catalogue of sexual abuse against a young boy has been jailed following an investigation by specialist safeguarding officers in Leeds. 

In a statement released after sentencing, West Yorkshire Police said:

“Graham Sunter, aged 67, of Bayswater Place, Harehills, was sentenced to 19 years at Leeds Crown Court today, consisting of 18 years imprisonment with a one-year extended licence.

He was found guilty following a trial of nine sexual offences against the victim over a number of years in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Sunter was also given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register life.

He received concurrent sentences ranging from two years to 19 years across the nine counts, totalling 64 years.

The victim came forward in 2022 and disclosed the abuse which prompted an investigation by Leeds District Safeguarding Unit that led to Sunter being charged.

Detective Inspector Mark Tester, of Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Sunter inflicted an appalling catalogue of sexual abuse against the victim over a number of years, and this has had hugely traumatic impact on his life.

“The officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Paul Burlace, supported the victim throughout the investigation to comprehensively capture all the evidence that has resulted in these convictions being secured.

“We recognise the courage that the victim has shown throughout the investigation and the court process, and we hope the significant sentence Sunter has how received will provide some reassurance to him.

“We also hope that the successful outcome of this case will help to give other victims of similar offences the confidence to come forward knowing they will be listened to and supported.

“We will always treat sexual offences of this nature very seriously and our specialist safeguarding officers will continue to do everything they can to secure convictions against predatory offenders like Sunter to get justice for victims and protect others from harm.”