Paedophile lured child to York bedroom with video games

August 12, 2026 - 01:54

A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a primary school girl in York more than three decades ago. Ian Mark Wrightson, now in his sixties, committed the offences between 1990 and 1992, when his victim was still of primary school age. The abuse took place in a bedroom in York, where Wrightson lured the child with the promise of playing video games.

The case came to light after the victim, now an adult, found the courage to report the historical abuse to North Yorkshire Police. Her detailed account allowed officers to build a strong case against Wrightson, who was arrested and later charged. He initially denied the allegations but changed his plea to guilty ahead of his trial.

At York Crown Court, Wrightson was sentenced to a significant prison term. The judge described his actions as a gross breach of trust, noting that he had deliberately targeted a young child for his own gratification. The court heard how the victim had lived with the psychological impact of the abuse for years, affecting her education, relationships, and mental health.

Detective Constable Sarah Johnson, who led the investigation, praised the victim for her bravery in coming forward. She said that although time had passed, the police took all reports of non-recent abuse seriously and would always seek justice. She also encouraged other survivors of historical abuse to report it, assuring them that they would be listened to and supported.

Wrightson will now serve a custodial sentence and will also be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The case serves as a reminder that justice can be served no matter how much time has elapsed since the offence.