Daniel Garside – Kirklees

Teenagers whose courage helped jail a dangerous Kirklees child sex offender for nearly 20 years have described how his appalling abuse has left them violated and broken.

Kirklees Safeguarding detectives commended the bravery of two now teenage victims following the sentencing of Daniel Garside, aged 40, at Leeds Crown Court today for 20 separate sexual offences including multiple counts of rape.

He was sentenced to 19 years in prison with a year’s extended licence and must register on the sex offenders register for life.

Garside, of Waltons Heights Liversedge admitted 15 serious sexual offences against one of his victims including rape, attempted rape and causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offending against her took place between 2020 and 2025 starting when she was a young girl aged under 13.

In a victim impact statement read to Leeds Crown Court, she said his abuse had caused her to suffer depression, confidence issues and left her struggling to form relationships.

She said: “I wish none of this had happened and I could just live my life normally but instead I must live with what happened and the effect it has had on me. I feel like I’m broken.”

Meanwhile, Garside was also convicted of two sexual assault offences and three of making indecent images of a second victim between the years 2020 and 2023. She was also just a young child when the sexual abuse began.

A victim statement was read to the court in which she said Garside’s actions had left her feeling “violated” and that now even “something as innocent as a friend giving me a hug” made her feel uncomfortable.

Garside’s crimes were brought to police attention in June 2025 when his first victim came forward to disclose the abuse she had suffered.

An investigation was launched by the Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit, resulting in him being swiftly arrested

Officers were able to identify the second victim as a result of the investigation. She later came forward to support the investigation and his prosecution.