David Outterside and Ashleigh Metcalfe have successfully prosecuted a Defendant for the rape and sexual abuse of multiple child victims between 1979 and 2010. 

The Defendant’s victims included 5 young boys in that time, now grown men, who gave evidence at Leeds Crown Court.  The trial began on 3^rd November 2025 and lasted 7 weeks.  The Defendant had complex disabilities including lifelong deafness and cerebral palsy, caused by a brain injury at birth.  He had the assistance of three lip speakers (on rotation) and an intermediary throughout the entire trial.

The Defendant was convicted of all 38 counts available to the jury on an indictment which spanned a 30 year period, 7 victims, as well as numerous and complex changes to historic sexual offences legislation. The Defendant gave evidence over 6 days in the trial including 2 days of cross examination.  He was defended by Silk and junior.

The Defendant was sentenced to 27 years imprisonment and the statutory extended licence by the trial Judge, HHJ Rachim Singh, on 12^th January 2026.

Both David and Ashleigh were instructed as Grade 4 Prosecutors by the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit at Leeds.

Authors

David Outterside

Call 2004

Ashleigh Metcalfe

Call 2014

Related areas

Crime

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