A man has been jailed for 25 years for committing a string of horrific sexual offences against young girls, including raping a child. 

Roy Barrowdale, 67, of Church Lane, Driffield, was found guilty of eight counts of sexual abuse, including raping a girl under 13, raping a girl aged 13-15, assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and five counts of sexual assault on a female. 

A jury found him not guilty of raping a woman aged 16 or older.

Barrowdale appeared at Grimsby Crown Court today (Thursday 23 October) where he was sentenced to jail for 25 years, with a further 12 months to be served on licence.

He has also been given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order. 

The investigation into Barrowdale started in 2018 when one of his victims bravely came forward to report sexual offences he committed against her in the 2010s.

Officers seized Barrowdale’s phone, after more people came forward with accusations, and found incriminating evidence consistent with grooming.

The landlord denied his involvement in the case, claiming his phone could have been accessed by other people while he was working at the pub. 

Due to Barrowdale’s refusal to own up to his crimes, his victims were forced to endure the trial, and relive the horrors he committed against them.

One victim said Barrowdale had “waited until I was vulnerable to strip me of my dignity.

“What you did to me has damaged my enjoyment with intimacy, my trust with men and most importantly my relationship with myself.

“Telling me it was my fault, I was responsible and I got what I deserved. But the only responsible one in the situation was you.

“I’m at peace knowing you’ll suffer for what you have done not only to myself, but to others who were unfortunate in knowing the vile animal you really are.”

Detective Constable David Harrison, who was the officer in charge of this case said:

“Barrowdale exploited his young and vulnerable victims, taking advantage of their age and position as a pub landlord to abuse them for his own sexual gratification. 

“By repeatedly denying the offences, he forced a trial, meaning his victims had to relive the horrors of the crimes he committed against them.

“I am pleased a jury was able to convict on eight of the nine counts he faced and that a significant custodial sentence has been handed out to him.

“None of this would have been possible without the brave testimonies of his victims and I want to thank them for coming forward and telling us about the horrific abuse committed by Barrowdale.”

Leading the Humberside Police investigation was Detective Constable Nichola Oakley from their Protecting Vulnerable People Unit who said:

“Whilst no sentence can truly reflect the trauma and lasting impact of this man’s calculated and prolonged abuse, I hope today’s outcome provides some reassurance to the victims and their families that an utterly deplorable man is now behind bars and unable to inflict any more harm to them or any other child.”

For more information on sexual assault, rape, and other sexual offences, including how to report them, go to this link.