DETECTIVES have praised the bravery of two sexual abuse victims after their courage to come forward resulted in a pervert being jailed for 14 years.

Gareth Jones targeted the first victim when he was just a teenager but he was in his 20s when he started abusing his second victim.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 43-year-old was convicted of a catalogue of sexual offences following a trial earlier this year.

A leading detective at Cleveland Police has paid tribute to officers who led simultaneous “protracted and complex” investigations into allegations of sexual offences by the Middlesbrough man.

Cleveland Police’s Head of Crime Detective Chief Superintendent John Bent said: “CAVA Detective Constable Mel Phelps and CID Detective Sergeant Lizzy Stubbs have worked tirelessly in these protracted and complex enquiries into historical offending against children.

“They’ve supported the victims throughout and worked with many local agencies whose input was invaluable – we are very grateful for their help.

“In both investigations, the officers also had to identify, trace and speak to an enormous number of potential witnesses which, given the passage of time, has not been an easy task.

“Jones continually denied all the offences however DC Phelps and Acting D/S Stubbs remained focussed and were determined to establish the facts, however long this might take."

He also paid tribute to the victims, saying they showed great courage in coming forward and he reminded everyone that the force will always investigate such reports in a professional, thorough and sensitive manner, with victims at the heart of enquiries.

In December 2018 the force's CAVA (Child Abuse and Vulnerable Adults) Team received a report from a third party that a woman now in her late teens had suffered childhood abuse over many years by Jones.

Enquiries got underway and Jones was interviewed in spring 2019, when he denied the offences.  The investigation continued.

In June 2020 a man in his 30s contacted police also reporting Jones (a teenager at that time) had sexually assaulted him when he was a young child in the 1990s.

An investigation by Middlesbrough CID began  but running separately but alongside CAVAS’s enquiries.

Both victims were offered specialist support and were kept updated and informed of developments, as detectives from both teams continued their enquiries.

Jones, of Highfield Hotel, Middlesbrough, was sentenced to a total of 14 years in custody with an extended one-year licence period when he is released.

  • Anyone affected by sexual abuse can contact SARC Teesside, which provides a 24/7 service for anyone who has experienced rape, sexual assault or other sexual abuse. Call 03333 44 8283.
  • ARCH provides counselling help and support to those who have suffered rape, sexual assault, or childhood sexual abuse. Call 01642 822331 or email support@archteesside.org

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