POLICE say they do not know if a former publican jailed for 15 years for raping and sexually abusing a child may have other victims.

Dennis Brannigan, 68, forced the now grown-up complainant to go through the ordeal of a trial before he was eventually convicted.

He was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 years by Judge John Walford, sitting at Teesside Crown Court, for six counts of rape, three of indecency with a child and three of indecent assault.

Detective Constable Rebecca Lisle, of Cleveland Police, who worked on the case, said: “We don't know at this stage whether there are any other victims, but if there are now is the time to come forward.”

Brannigan, of Gladstone Terrace, Binchester, County Durham, worked all over the country and also abroad in the pub trade and was a former boxer and bouncer.

Three years ago he was featured in The Northern Echo after he lost his job as the licensee of The Castle Tavern pub in Market Square, Richmond.

He was asked to leave by the owners of the pub after problems with disorder at the premises, even though a petition was signed by its customers to keep him in place.

DC Lisle said: “He comes across as a very pleasant and polite character, but it may be that he is very good at presenting a different face.

“He put the victim through the ordeal of a trial and giving evidence.

“The abuse suffered went on for a number of years and the victim is satisfied that he has eventually been convicted and sentenced to spend such a long time in jail.”