A rape victim who first reported the crime more than 20 years ago, has finally seen her attacker jailed, thanks to her persistence and courage.

Durham Crown Court heard that the woman first approached police about John Barkess’s activities in 2002, having kept it bottled up for years, feeling shame and being worried she would not be believed.

But the court was told that when she did pluck up the courage, following a conversation with another victim of Barkess, she was not encouraged to pursue the complaint as she was unable to recall the date or year of the crime.

It was only after speaking to a third victim of the defendant that she, backed by the other two complainants, went back to police to re-report her allegation.

The Northern Echo:

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, told the court that, “in a twist of good fortune”, an experienced officer who, “knew his way around” the old police logging system, was able to find a record of her original complaint from two decades earlier, “demonstrating she had been consistent”, despite the passage of time.

It helped bring about the conviction of the now 83-year-old defendant, of Northumbria Place, Stanley.

Barkess denied the offences throughout the court process but a jury returned guilty verdicts to one count of rape and six of indecent assault following a trial of more than a week at the court, in March.

His counsel, David Callan, told the sentencing hearing that the defendant was of previous good character and was, “a hard-working man all of his life”, including a period in the police force.

Mr Callan said given his age, and the inevitable sentence awaiting him, “the circumstances are bleak”, for the defendant.

“He does not regard the future as a friend.

“He’s very unlikely to have any time left when he is released, with a long prison sentence in prospect.”

Mr Callan questioned whether a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), sought by the Crown, and a restraining order requested by two of Barkess’s victims, were necessary, because of his age.

But Judge Jo Kidd said she viewed his demeanour when impact statements from the three victims were read to the court.

“He was smirking when the contents of the statements were read out.

“In my view he holds a contemptuous attitude to these victims, therefore, I will put in place indefinite restraining orders in their cases.”

Judge Kidd said “under a mask” of being a decent individual he committed the most “grotesque” offences against the three victims.

The judge said after the first report about his activities was made in 2002, the initial complainant was, “grossly let down by the police,” at that time.

“Thankfully, she has perseverance, with the help and support of family and friends.

“When it became clear she was not the only victim, they together approached the police to seek justice for the harm you caused them so many years ago.

“You continue to be absent any remorse, or shame about your behaviour, and appear contemptuous of your victims.”

Judge Kidd imposed a total prison sentence of 15-and-a-half years, of which the defendant must serve two-thirds, ten years and two months, before being eligible for release.

The judge said in light of his age and lack of further offending she did not consider it appropriate to make a SHPO.

But Barkess was made subject of registration as a sex offender, for life.

The Northern Echo:

Speaking after the hearing, Investigating Officer Laura White, of Durham Police’s West Safeguarding Team, who did act upon the most recent complaint, said she worked with the victim to build up her trust, knowing she feared the case would not be progressed again.

She said she told the victim she did believe her and the two other women who also came forward to report that they too had been abused by Barkess as teens.

Officer White said: “I commend the bravery of all three women and thank them for trusting me and working with me on a journey that would have almost seemed impossible for them at the beginning.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to work with these women and get them the justice they so rightly deserve.

“I urge anyone who has suffered sexual abuse to come forward and speak to police.

“It is never too late.

“We believe you and we will do something about it.”

The Northern Echo:

She said anyone who has suffered sexual abuse should come forward and report it to police using the 101 line, or by ringing 999 in an emergency.

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But for those victims who feel they are not ready to speak to police, other helplines are available.

These include The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre, which can be contacted by www.sarcdurham.co.uk, or by ringing 0330-223 0099.

Alternatively, there is also the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, which can be reached via www.247sexualabuse support.org.uk, or by ringing 0808-550 2222.