A “devious and predatory” paedophile who abused a small girl more than a decade ago has finally faced justice.
Timothy Bird, 44, of Conwy Court, Castlefields, Runcorn, was sent down for 17 years at Leeds Crown Court last Wednesday after jurors convicted him of offences including attempted rape, sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Bird was found guilty in August following a three-day trial.
West Yorkshire Police, who investigated Bird, said the abuse took place before 2010 while the victim was a small child. A police spokesperson said the girl reported her ordeal as an older teenager prompting an investigation by specialist child safeguarding detectives at Kirklees Police.
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Bird was arrested and charged in late 2020 following “painstaking enquiries”.
Detective Constable 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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