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A man who sexually abused a vulnerable young girl, aided by his girlfriend at the time, has faced justice 16 years later as a result of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.

Neil King, 51, of Dinnington in Rotherham was today [24 July] found guilty of 17 sexual offences against the girl and her best friend at Sheffield Crown Court.

Officers from the NCA’s Operation Stovewood – an investigation into historic allegations of sexual abuse in Rotherham – found that King began abusing the first victim when she was placed under the care of his girlfriend, Louise Tye, in the summer of 2008.

Tye knew the girl’s father, who was unable to provide a home for her, and successfully applied to take care of the 14 year old. Far from wanting to provide the girl with a stable home life, Tye planned to sexually exploit her.

Soon after the girl moved in with Tye and King, she was forced to participate in sex with the couple. King paid Tye money for her assistance in the abuse, and Tye continued to enable him to have sex with the girl when she and the victim moved to a new address.

The girl and Tye later fell out, and King used this to his advantage. He allowed the victim to stay at his home and provided her with food, money, drugs and alcohol but continued to sexually abuse her – including raping her - both in his home and car.

On one occasion, the girl was joined at King’s home by her best friend, aged around 13 or 14 at the time, and King forced both of them to carry out sex acts.

After several months suffering King’s abuse, the first victim was provided with alternative living arrangements and ultimately began living semi-independently in a new home.

This enabled the girl to escape King for a period of time, however he later tracked her down and in 2010 raped her in her new home.

Both young victims were afraid to report what had happened to them at the time.

King, who had no previous criminal convictions, came to the NCA’s attention when Operation Stovewood officers identified the first girl as a potential victim of child sexual abuse in late 2018.

Specially trained officers spoke with her and over time she detailed what King had done to her and her friend. Her courage in speaking to officers enabled them to identify the second victim, who also bravely related the crimes King perpetrated against her.

The victims’ account, in conjunction with supporting evidence gathered by officers, ultimately led to King and Tye being arrested in 2021. Both were charged with sexual offences in July 2023 but Tye died later that year, so King stood trial alone.

Senior Investigating Officer Stuart Cobb said:

“King thought he would never face justice for his methodical abuse of these girls, but he did not reckon on our investigation or the tremendous courage of the victims all these years later.

“It’s never too late to report child sexual abuse. I encourage anyone who was abused as a child to tell police. Reports of non-recent abuse are handled by officers who are specially trained in supporting victims and dealing with such sensitive cases.”

Samantha Thompson of the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“Neil King targeted his young victims with money, alcohol, drugs and gifts, grooming them for child sexual abuse, including rape and attempted rape.

“The lifelong physical and emotional trauma caused to victims by men like King cannot be understated. This type of conduct has equally damaged the community confidence of Rotherham.

“We would like to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and reporting this devastating crime. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS will continue to relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.

“I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police. You are not alone and there is always help available.”

Non-recent child sexual abuse can be reported to police by calling 101, or in person at a police station.

King has been remanded in custody to appear for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on 2 September.

The NCA's Operation Stovewood remains the single biggest investigation of its kind, looking at allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. NCA officers have identified more than 1,100 victims, and to date 35 people – including King - have been convicted. More than 50 active investigations remain ongoing.