Police in victim appeal after child rapist jailed

A man jailed for raping a seven-year-old girl more than 40 years ago may have abused others, police have said.

Alan Pearce, 70, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of raping and indecently assaulting the child between 1983 and 1985.

The woman reported the offences in 2021, prompting an investigation by Kirklees child safeguarding detectives, who brought charges against Pearce in 2024.

Det Sgt Paul Campbell, from West Yorkshire Police, said investigations suggested there could be other victims and appealed for them to come forward.

Pearce, from Heckmondwike, was told he would serve an additional year on licence following his release and made the subject of a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order at the hearing on on Thursday.

Campbell said: "Our investigation into his offending has suggested that there could be other victims who haven't yet been identified, and we would like to take this opportunity to urge them to contact us and make a report to our specially-trained officers, who can provide support throughout the justice process."

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