THE victim of a historic sexual assault has been praised for her bravery after rapist Clive Pinchers was jailed earlier today.

Pinchers, 57, raped the woman in 2004 and was sent to prison for six and half years after confessing to his vile crime more than 15 years later.

Overweight, scruffy-bearded Pinchers, from Dewsbury, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to raping his adult victim.

The victim came forward to police in 2018 to report the attack and a full investigation was launched by specialist officers, and Pinchers was charged with rape in December 2019.

Police praised the victim for her courage in coming forward to make sure her attacker faced justice.

DC Carole Haste, of the Kirklees Safeguarding Unit, said: “We welcome the sentencing of Pinchers today and I hope seeing him jailed and forced to confess his crime will bring his victim some closure.

“In her impact statement to the court, Pincher’s victim said coming forward and reporting what this man did to her was the hardest thing she had ever had to do, and we want to pay tribute to her courage. 

“She has been incredibly brave throughout this case and her support of our investigation has resulted in a man who most likely thought he would never be held accountable having little choice but to plead guilty.

“My colleagues and I from the Safeguarding Unit work hard to achieve justice for our victims who are brave enough to come forward when they are at their most vulnerable, and we can promise that we will always fully investigate every report made.

“We will always do everything we can to support victims as we seek justice for them.”