August 2023

Brave victim speaks about after helping to jail abuser for 10 years

A brave victim who was subjected to vile abuse during his childhood has spoken out after his attacker was brought to justice and put behind bars.

Paedophile Ian Connor appeared at Newcastle Crown Court last month where he was jailed for sexually abusing a teen boy in the late 90s.

The 63-year-old’s offending first came to light in 2021 after his victim bravely decided to come forward and tell police what had happened to him.

Connor was brought in for questioning and initially denied the allegations but, following a thorough investigation by Northumbria Police’s safeguarding department, he was later charged with a string of offences.

He later appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he was convicted of nine counts of indecent assault following a trial.

And on July 21, Connor, of Centenary Avenue in South Shields was jailed for a total of 10 years. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and issued with an indefinite Sexual harm Prevention Order.

During the hearing, a victim impact statement written by Connor’s victim was read out.

It said: “The abuse I suffered has impacted my whole life. Every day I think about it.

“I ask myself why I allowed this to happen, was it my fault? But over the years I began to understand it wasn’t my fault, I was a child, and he took advantage of me.

“I often wonder what life would have been like if this didn’t happen to me as it’s affected all my relationships and I don’t trust anyone. I feel so hurt, upset and ashamed.

“I suffer depression, anxiety and stress all brought on by the abuse I suffered but I know that I need to learn how to deal with what happened to me and move forward with my life.

“I now have a daughter and I want to be the best dad I can be for her.”