Paul Cranston, from Stanley, jailed for child sex offences

Paul Cranston who carried out sexual activity with a child between 2008 and 2016 is now behind bars following a hearing at Durham Crown Court.

The 54-year-old, of Stanley, was found guilty of one count of the offence after a trial on December 8 and was sentenced earlier this month.

Read more: Three people taken to hospital after A19 crash - road reopened

Paul Cranston (Image: Contributor)

Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, jailed him and made him subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Cranston will also be on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period.

Read next:

• Two man brandishing kitchen knives flee empty-handed after failed store robbery
• Child sex attacker who continued to deny his crimes sentenced to nine years in prison
• Armed robber threw stolen till at head of police officer as he fled the scene

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to The Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.

Safeguarding supervisor at Durham Constabulary, Detective Sergeant Andy Phillips, said: “This was a long and complex case but I would like to praise the victim who showed immense courage in coming forward and speaking to the police.

“Cranston is now behind bars, which I hope will give the victim some comfort so they can start to rebuild their life.

“I hope this will inspire other people who have suffered similar abuse to come forward and speak to us to help them get the justice they deserve.”

Anyone who is suffering sexual abuse, or has suffered abuse in the past, should report it to police – call 101, or 999 in an emergency.