A man from Castleford has been handed a prison sentence after being convicted of multiple child sex offences, following a dedicated investigation by safeguarding officers in West Yorkshire.
John Godfrey was jailed after officers from West Yorkshire Police built a case against him through their safeguarding unit, which specialises in protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse.
The investigation led to Godfrey facing multiple charges related to child sex offences, and the courts have now put him behind bars following the conclusion of the case.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed the sentencing as part of their ongoing work to pursue those who pose a danger to children across the region. Safeguarding teams work specifically to identify, investigate and bring to justice individuals who target or abuse young people, and this case is another example of that work resulting in a conviction.
Castleford sits within the Wakefield district of West Yorkshire, and local officers have been clear that protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse remains one of their highest priorities. Cases like this one demonstrate the force’s commitment to pursuing offenders regardless of how long an investigation takes.
Anyone with concerns about child safety or who wants to report suspicious behaviour is encouraged to contact West Yorkshire Police directly, or reach out to the NSPCC helpline if they need advice or support.