David Saynor, who used his limousine company to groom and sexually abuse teenage girls in Rotherham, was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Friday 16 August, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency.

Following a five-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court, Saynor, 77, was found guilty of committing a string of sexual offences between 2005 and 2015 against eight vulnerable young girls, who were aged between 12 to 17 years old at the time the offences took place.

The court heard how Saynor manipulated young girls with alcohol and drugs who were collected from school or care homes in his stretch Hummer limousine. The girls were often lured into his limousine under the pretence of being paid to undertake promotional work for his company, 5th Avenue Limousines.

Operation Stovewood remains the single largest investigation of its kind in the UK, with Saynor being the 36th man to be sentenced. The success of Operation Stovewood shows the importance of a dedicated police force and agencies working together. 

The eight survivors who came forward, spoke about the lasting trauma that Saynor’s abuse has caused them, describing how their lives have been destroyed as they battle with mental ill-health. Judge David Dixon applauded the women for their bravery in giving evidence throughout the five-week trial and living with the impact of his abuse as adults.

Judge Dixon told Saynor that he must serve at least two thirds of a 24-year prison sentence, effectively making it a life sentence.

Child sexual exploitation and abuse can cause real lifelong physical and emotional trauma We at Switalskis commend all the survivors who have come forward both in this investigation but also  in other investigations run by the National Crime Agency.  It is because of the bravery of survivors that the National Crime Agency’s investigations into historical abuse in Rotherham have been so successful.   

Switalskis represents a number of survivors of historical child exploitation, including a number of women who were abused by David Saynor. If anyone who suffered abuse by him wishes to have a confidential chat please contact Amy Clowrey on 07393 237896   or by email amy.clowrey@switalskis.com