A Huddersfield man has been jailed for 17 years after being found guilty of historic sexual offences against a child.

Timothy Bird, 44, was found guilty in August of non-recent offences which included attempted rape, sexual assault and inciting a young child to engage in sexual activity. The offences took place between 2008 and 2009, reports West Yorkshire Police.

The female victim was a small child at the time and reported the offences as an older teenager, leading to an investigation by child safeguarding detectives at Kirklees Police.

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Timothy Bird was arrested in 2020 following this investigation. He was then jailed earlier today (October 5, 2022). DC Suzanne Clark, who led enquiries in the case, said: "Bird richly deserves his sentence for committing very serious sexual offences against a young victim who was very much at his mercy.

"Her courage in coming forward years later and reporting what he did allowed detectives to fully investigate this case and bring this devious and predatory man to justice.

"We continue to urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to contact us.

"No matter how long ago the offending took place, police will always investigate, always listen, and do all we can to achieve justice for victims.”

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