A paedophile who finally admitted the rape of a child two days into his trial has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison.

Police have welcomed the sentence passed down on 39-year-old Barry Brennan and hope it will be the spur to encourage other victims of sexual abuse to have the confidence to come forward.

The victim’s family contacted Northumbria Police in 2021 to say she was raped several years previously by Brennan.

A thorough investigation into the report was begun, involving the swift arrest of Brennan, who denied all the allegations raised in his police interviews.

He was charged with three counts of rape of a child, which he denied, and he went on trial at Newcastle Crown Court in November last year.

But, on the second day of the hearing, Brennan changed his pleas and admitted two counts of rape, with the prosecution agreeing to leave the third contested count to lie on file.

The Northern Echo: Child sex offender Brry Brennan jailed for more than 13 years for the rape of a child at Newcastle

Brennan, of Shields Road, in the Byker area of Newcastle, was back at the court last Friday (February 9) when he was sentenced to a total of 13-and-a-half years in prison.

Judge Gavin Doig also made him subject of a restraining order relating to the victim and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, while Brennan will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

The Northern Echo:

Speaking since the sentencing hearing, Detective Constable Lisa Herron, who led the police investigation into Brennan’s activities, said: “First and foremost, I’d like to thank the victim in this case.

“They and their family have shown incredible bravery in coming forward to report the abuse which Brennan had subjected her to.

“It is thanks to them that he is beginning a lengthy prison term.

“Without the victim’s strength and determination, this result could not have been achieved.

“Brennan is a highly dangerous individual and it is only right that he is now behind bars for a significant amount of time.”

Det Con Herron said the case should serve as a reminder to all victims of sexual abuse that it is never too late to report incidents to officers, however much time has passed since the relevant offending.

Appealing to them, she said: “If you’ve been suffering in silence, now is the time to speak up.

“You will be listened to and we are here to help.”

See more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

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For details of the police support available and more information on how to report cases of child abuse, victims and their families should visit the Northumbria force website.

It features a section, ‘How to report possible child abuse - Northumbria Police’.

Complaints about any other type of historic abuse can also be made by contacting police on 101 or reporting online, via the force’s website.