Key Points

• Jason Spence, 38, of Roker Lane, Pudsey, was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of multiple sex offences against four girls, all under 13 at the time.
• The offences included four counts of rape, five counts of assault by touching, making indecent images of children, and possessing prohibited images of children.
• He was released on conditional bail on 2 April before sentencing, but failed to attend court on 16 April.
• A warrant was issued for his arrest after he absconded.
• Spence spent 33 days on the run before being arrested in Ireland and returned to the UK.
• He was sentenced on Wednesday, 8 July, to a 32-year extended sentence, made up of 24 years in custody and eight years on licence.
• Detective Constable Gemma Varley said the case required sensitive handling because of the trauma experienced by the victims.

Pudsey (The Leeds Times) 8 July 2026 — A Leeds paedophile who fled after being found guilty of raping four young girls has been jailed after returning to the UK following 33 days on the run. Jason Spence, 38, of Roker Lane, Pudsey, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court after being convicted of serious sexual offences against children under the age of 13.

What did Leeds Crown Court find Jason Spence guilty of?

As reported by Leeds Live, Jason Spence was found guilty of four rape offences and five offences of assault by touching, with all the victims under 13 at the time of the crimes. The court also found him guilty of offences linked to making indecent images of children and possessing prohibited images of children. These findings placed the case among the most serious child sexual abuse prosecutions heard at the court.

The case centred on offences committed against vulnerable young girls, and the convictions followed a trial at Leeds Crown Court. The court’s decision meant sentencing would follow, but that process was delayed when Spence failed to appear.

Why was a warrant issued for his arrest?

According to Leeds Live, Spence was released on conditional bail on 2 April ahead of sentencing. He did not attend court on 16 April, prompting the issue of a warrant for his arrest.

That failure to appear meant the authorities had to treat him as a fugitive while efforts were made to locate him.

Spence remained on the run for 33 days before being traced and arrested in Ireland. He was then returned to the UK to face sentencing.

The decision to abscond added another layer to the case because it delayed the court’s final ruling and required cross-border action.

What sentence did he receive?

Leeds Live reported that Spence was sentenced on Wednesday, 8 July, to a 32-year extended sentence. That sentence consists of 24 years in custody and eight years on licence. The length of the sentence reflects the gravity of the offences and the court’s assessment of risk.

An extended sentence is used in cases where the court considers that the offender may still pose a danger after release.

In this case, the sentence means Spence will spend a long period in prison before any release into the community under licence conditions.

What did police say about the case?

Detective Constable Gemma Varley said:

“What these children have endured at such a young age is unimaginable. This was a complex investigation that required extremely sensitive handling, balancing the need to gain evidence to ensure Spence was convicted with being careful and considerate of the trauma that these young victims had already been exposed to.”

Her remarks underline the scale of the harm suffered by the victims and the care needed in child abuse investigations.

The investigation involved gathering evidence while also trying to limit further distress for the children involved. Police did not go beyond that public statement in the material provided.

What happened before sentencing?

The sentencing was not straightforward because Spence failed to attend court after being granted conditional bail.

That absence triggered a warrant, and the case shifted from a sentencing matter to an arrest operation. His eventual detention in Ireland brought the case back into the justice system in the UK.

The timeline matters because it shows that the sentence came only after a period in which the convicted man had effectively escaped immediate custody.

The authorities’ response ensured he was eventually brought back to face the consequences of the verdict.

Why is this case significant?

The case is significant because it involves multiple child rape convictions, child sexual images offences, and a defendant who tried to avoid sentencing by leaving the country.

It also highlights the seriousness with which courts treat offences against children, especially where several victims are involved. The final sentence reflects both the crimes themselves and the attempt to evade justice.

It also shows how child abuse cases can require prolonged, careful investigations. The police statement suggests the process involved both evidence gathering and safeguarding the children from further harm.

Background of the development

Jason Spence’s case began with allegations and a trial at Leeds Crown Court that resulted in convictions for serious sexual crimes against four girls.

After the guilty verdicts, he was released on conditional bail pending sentencing, but he failed to return to court, leading to a warrant for his arrest.

He was later found in Ireland and brought back to the UK, where he was finally sentenced to 32 years, including a long custodial term and licence period.

This development sits within a wider pattern of court cases dealing with child sexual abuse, where sentencing follows conviction and any attempt to evade court can intensify the seriousness of the public response.

The police remarks also indicate the sensitive nature of such cases, particularly when the victims are very young.

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Prediction

For families in Pudsey and the wider Leeds area, the sentence is likely to reinforce confidence that serious child abuse cases are pursued to the fullest extent of the law.

It may also prompt greater attention to safeguarding, reporting concerns earlier, and ensuring bail and court attendance conditions are monitored closely in high-risk cases.

For survivors and child protection professionals, the case may serve as a reminder that these investigations often take time and require careful handling. It is likely to remain a reference point in local reporting on how courts deal with repeat sexual offences against children and attempts to flee justice.