Northumberland paedophile jailed for five years after sexually abusing two children

David Gallon, also known as David Storey, began abusing one of his victims when she was just 12-years-old, subjecting her to multiple sexual assaults.

At first she was too frightened to report it to police but she bravely spoke out years later and an investigation was launched by Northumbria Police's Safeguarding Unit.

And in 2018, a further report was made by another rape victim with Gallon named as the suspect.

Gallon, 23, was arrested but denied the allegations put to him.

But a jury at Newcastle Crown Court convicted him of rape, inciting a female child to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching and four counts of sexual activity with a child.

He also pleaded guilty to a further offence of sexual activity with a girl under 16 years.

Speaking out, one of his victims spoke of her continued pain at his hands.

In a statement read at court, she said: "I am a victim of abuse.

"Still today I don't understand why it was me and that is a question I ask myself daily.

"I am an adult now, but don't feel like I have had the years that everyone speaks about, ‘teenage years are the best years’ so they say but for me that just is not true.

"It makes me sick and embarrassed that at just 12-years-old, I had my dignity ripped from me."

The second victim added: "This male took advantage of me, my trust, my naivety and vulnerabilities and put me through an ordeal that that will have lasting effects on me for life in so many different ways.

"These events have impacted my everyday life, my education, my friends and my family. I have different feelings and emotions every day and trying to do what used to come easy and natural to me is now a struggle."

Gallon was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.

Following the case, the detective leading the investigation praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward.

Detective Constable Askew, of Northumbria Police, said: "These girls have suffered the most awful abuse at the hands of David Gallon and I hope today they can see that their courage to speak out has taken a dangerous paedophile off our streets.

"Gallon has shown no remorse to the victims throughout this investigation but he will now face the consequences of his actions.

"I hope this sends a clear message to anyone who may be suffering in silence because of abuse – we are here to help.

"I'd urge anyone who has been a victim of any sexual assault to report it to police."

Gallon, of Cragton Gardens, Blyth, has also been handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Notice, which places restrictions on him when he is released from prison, and an indefinite restraining order.

He will also have to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault is urged to report to police via the "Tell Us Something" page on the Northumbria Police website or contact 101.