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A mother has told of the trauma her young daughter experienced after waiting 18 months for her father to be convicted of child sexual abuse – as a report finds it is taking years for cases to be concluded.

Erin, not her real name, discovered her ex-husband had been sexually abusing her then seven-year-old daughter Ivy, a pseudonym, for at least four years in the spring of 2021.

He was eventually imprisoned for 17 years in September 2022 – but the year-and-a-half it took to get there left the family in limbo, looking over their shoulders as he was free to live his life.

Erin is speaking out for the first time, exclusively to Sky News, as a new report collating all the latest available child sexual abuse data is released.

The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA Centre) found in 2021/2022:

• It took an average of 614 days from a report of child sexual abuse to a court conclusion
• A 15% increase in recorded cases in England and Wales
• For the first time, police recorded more than 100,000 offences (103,055)
• Sexual assault referral centres, which offer medical and forensic help to victims, had initial contact with 8,213 children last year – a rise of 13% more than the previous year.

Survey data also suggests at least one in 10 children in England and Wales are sexually abused before the age of 16, so the majority of cases go unreported.

One reason could be the long delays in the justice system.

The things he’d asked her to do

Erin told Sky News: “When she told me, it just all tumbled out, everything, the things that he, they, had been doing together, sleeping with no pyjamas on, in the same bed, things he’d asked her to do, things he’d done to her, inappropriate touching and it all just came out in one big rush.”

The horrified mother immediately told the police and her ex-husband, Ivy’s father, was arrested – with officers then finding indecent child images of other children on his computer dating back 14 years, before the former couple had met.

Her daughter had to have a forensic medical exam at a rape centre that was done by a male doctor.

Erin said: “That was the hardest part of all of it, she looked so tiny, she had to take all of her clothes off and wrap herself under this adult-sized gown.

“The doctor, I’m sure he was lovely but he was very tall and had a very strong accent, she was frightened. She had to lay there and be examined in her privates, that was the worst part of it.”

Ivy’s father, who Erin said appeared to be a good dad and had a high-powered job, was released on bail after three months and then he had a restraining order so he could not come near the house or her school.

But, although Erin knew he had a new car, the police would not tell her what it was or where he was living. For a year-and-a-half – until he was prosecuted – she was constantly looking over her shoulder trying to protect Ivy.

They let someone dangerous to children roam around free

Detectives went quiet after the initial interviews and Erin said they did not return her calls when she had questions, which made her feel “like time was standing still”. She even made sure Ivy’s passport was not in the house in case he turned up.

He was free to live and work before he was charged – then at one point, he failed to turn up for a police interview and went on the run.

“To my mind, they let someone out there, dangerous to children, roam around with his freedom unchallenged for 18 months,” she said.

“They kept saying: ‘Well you should be grateful, that’s really quick, you should be grateful.'”

Eventually, Ivy’s father pleaded guilty and was jailed for 17 years.

Erin said she believes he pleaded guilty so his crimes were not revealed in court in front of his family. A trial would have prolonged the case even further.

Ian Dean, director of the Centre of Expertise for Child Sexual Abuse
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Ian Dean, director of the Centre of Expertise for Child Sexual Abuse

‘Court delays are completely unacceptable’

Ian Dean, director of the CSA Centre, told Sky News: “It’s completely unacceptable that some children are waiting as long as two years to hear their case concluded in court.

“For any victim of sexual abuse that wait would be significant, for a child it’s enormous.

“I’m really concerned that delays of this magnitude will be putting people off.”

The CSA Centre is pushing for the government to carry out a regular prevalence survey to establish just how many children are being sexually abused as they believe the data available is just the tip of the iceberg.

It is also calling for more training for social workers as many do not have formal training to recognise when child sexual abuse may be taking place.

Ian Critchley, child protection lead for the National Police Chiefs Council, told Sky News the full impact of COVID lockdowns on child abuse is also a major concern and it “may take years to fully understand”.

He said police are investing in training and resources for those working in the field and are also trying to enhance their data collection so trends can be more easily understood.

He added: “The fight against child sexual abuse will never stop and these most recent figures reinforce that all of us in society must focus our efforts on these awful crimes, which can cause lifelong harm to children.”

Safeguarding minister Sarah Dines told Sky News: “Child sexual abuse is a horrific, devastating crime which targets the most vulnerable in our society and this government is determined to tackle it.

“I welcome this report produced by the Home Office-funded Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, which recognises improvements in identification and reporting.

“However, the prevalence of these heinous crimes is deeply concerning, and we will leave no stone unturned in pursuing offenders and keeping children safe.

“We are putting the needs of victims at the heart of this work, including investing £477m over three years to reduce court wait times for victims.”

Anyone with any concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.

Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk.

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Kemi Badenoch does not rule out local coalitions with Reform after next week’s council elections

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Kemi Badenoch does not rule out local coalitions with Reform after next week's council elections

Kemi Badenoch has not ruled out forming coalitions at a local level with Reform after the council elections next week.

Speaking to Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, the Conservative leader did however categorically rule out a pact with Nigel Farage’s party on a national level.

“I am not going into any coalition with Nigel Farage… read my lips,” she said.

However, she did not deny that deals could be struck with Reform at a local level, arguing that some councils might be under no overall control and in that case, “you have to do what is right for your local area”.

“You look at the moment, we are in coalition with Liberal Democrats, with independents,” she said. “We’ve been in coalition with Labour before at local government level.

“They [councillors] have to look at who the people are that they’re going into coalition with and see how they can deliver for local people.”

She added: “What I don’t want to hear is talks of stitch-ups or people planning things before the results are out. They have to do what is right for their communities.”

More on Electoral Dysfunction

A total of 23 councils are up for grabs when voters go to the polls on Thursday 1 May – mostly in places that were once deemed Tory shires, until last year’s general election.

It includes 14 county councils, all but two of which have been Conservative-controlled, as well as eight unitary authorities, all but one of which are Tory.

Ms Badenoch has set expectations low for the Tories, suggesting they could lose all the councils they are contesting.

The last time this set of councils were up for election was in 2021, when the Conservative Party was led by Boris Johnson who was riding high from the COVID vaccine bounce.

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Counter-terrorism police investigating after two women injured in Leeds

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Counter-terrorism police investigating after two women injured in Leeds

Counter-terrorism police are investigating after an incident involving a crossbow and a firearm left two women injured in Leeds.

Police were called to Otley Road at 2.47pm on Saturday to reports of a “serious incident involving a man seen with weapons”, West Yorkshire Police said.

Officers arrived at the scene to find two women injured – and a 38-year-old man with a self-inflicted injury. All three were taken to hospital, with the man held under arrest, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

“Two weapons have been recovered from the scene, which were a crossbow and a firearm,” Counter Terrorism Policing North East said in a statement.

The incident happened on the ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl, with one venue saying it was closed for the evening due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Officers guard one of the crime scenes in Leeds
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Officers guard one of the crime scenes

Officers inside the cordon in Leeds
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Officers inside the cordon in Leeds

Counter Terrorism Policing’s statement added: “Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken responsibility for leading the investigation with the support of West Yorkshire Police.

“Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described it as a “serious violent incident” and said she was being kept updated by police.

“Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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Wrexham promoted for third season in a row under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

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Wrexham promoted for third season in a row under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Wrexham AFC have been promoted for the third season in a row.

The North Wales-based side has gone from the National League to the Championship in just three seasons, under its Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Wrexham were second in the table and had a run of eight games unbeaten ahead of their match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which they won 3-0.

Wrexham's James McClean lifts the trophy after the Sky Bet League One match at SToK Racecourse, Wrexham. Picture date: Saturday April 26, 2025.
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Wrexham’s James McClean lifts the League One trophy. Pic: PA

Wrexham's Dan Scarr celebrates with the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Sky Bet Championship after the Sky Bet League One match at SToK Racecourse, Wrexham. Picture date: Saturday April 26, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wrexham. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire...RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Image:
Wrexham’s Dan Scarr celebrates with the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA

It is the first time any club has been promoted for three consecutive seasons within the top five tiers of English football.

The third oldest association football club in the world, Wrexham AFC was bought by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2020, and has since been the subject of a Disney+ documentary, Welcome To Wrexham.

Reynolds, wearing a Wrexham sweatshirt, and McElhenney were pictured celebrating each goal, and after the game, as the fans came onto the pitch at the SToK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) to celebrate the victory with the players.

Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds (right) and Ryan's wife Blake Lively before the Sky Bet League One match at SToK Racecourse, Wrexham. Picture date: Saturday April 26, 2025.
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Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds and Ryan’s wife Blake Lively, before the match. Pic: PA

Both stars came onto the pitch after the supporters returned to the stands.

More on Ryan Reynolds

Speaking to Sky Sports, McElhenney praised those behind the scenes, referring to “so many that don’t get the credit they deserve, people who aren’t talked about”.

Reynolds said bringing success back to the club “seemed like an impossible dream” when they arrived in North Wales in 2020.

Wrexham's Sam Smith celebrates in front of the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Sky Bet Championship after the Sky Bet League One match at SToK Racecourse, Wrexham. Picture date: Saturday April 26, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Wrexham. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire...RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Image:
Wrexham’s Sam Smith celebrates in front of the fans after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA

He put the three promotions down to “the coaching staff, the greatest dressing room” and an “all for one, one for all” attitude throughout the club, adding he was “speechless with their commitment and their emotion”.

As for the mouth-watering prospect of another promotion to the promised land of the Premier League, the pair agreed it was “for tomorrow”, before ending the interview with a joint mic-drop.

Veteran striker Steven Fletcher said, “as soon as I came to this club, I knew it was something special. We want to go again. We’ll reset in the summer, take a break and go again”.

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