Sexual predator from Cleckheaton jailed after decades of child abuse

George Thorley of Moorbottom in Cleckheaton was arrested in March 2021 and eventually charged in 2022 for multiple sexual offences which included drugging, rape and abusing children.

Thorley was sentenced to 27 years on 8th May 2024 at Leeds Crown Court for committing 32 sexual offences between the 1970s and 1990’s in various locations across England.

The police became aware of Thorley after three of his victims from West Yorkshire, London and Durham came forward independently over a 12-month period.

Enquiries were launched across all three police force areas, which resulted in a total of seven victims being indemnified, with four being in the London area, one in Durham and two in West Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire Police took the primary role in the investigation due to the suspect living in Cleckheaton.

At trial, the 74-year-old was described by detectives as posing a genuine danged to children and heard that that Thorley had committed offences against seven children, both girls and boys, with the first offence taking place in 1973 and the last occurring in 1995. 

Thorley was jailed for one offence of rape, multiple indecent assaults and other serious sexual offences and will also have to register on the sexual offences register for life.  

One of Thorley’s victims commented: "I have made four attempts to take my own life. Knowing I'm not the only person who went through this, I felt partly responsible for not protecting others. It was only when I started accessing counselling that I realised that the only person to blame is the person who hurt us. I don't think any counselling will bring me back to the person I was.”

Detective Inspector Paul Greatorex of the Kirklees Non Recent Child Sexual Abuse Team, commented: “George Thorley without doubt poses a genuine danger to children and has been brought to justice following a highly complex investigation involving three police forces…This investigation is an example of the collaborative work carried by police to ensure suspects who seriously offend in more than one force area are made to answer for all of the crimes they commit.” 

Jordans Solicitors – helping victims of sexual abuse claim compensation.

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.

Our Sexual Abuse Compensation Team can be contacted by telephoning 08009555094 or 03303001103.