Aiden Gallon 19

Description

A teenager convicted of raping one girl and committing other sexual offences on another is starting a six-year custodial sentence.

Aiden Gallon was found guilty of six offences relating to one or other of the two victims, following a two-day trial at Peterlee Youth Court, in September.

He denied the offences, one count of rape, two of sexual assault and three of engaging in sexual activity with a girl, all committed at a time he was 16.

But, having been found guilty by the youth panel, the case was sent to be sentenced at Durham Crown Court, as the defendant, who was only 17 when court proceedings began, had by then turned 18 and become an adult in the eyes of the law.

He appeared at the crown court in October when Judge Jo Kidd adjourned the sentencing hearing to allow time for preparation of a psychological report on Gallon, specifically to assess his perceived “dangerousness”.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said impact statements made by the two defendants referred to one having “been obliged” to move address since Gallon’s offending, while the other described having resorted to taking tablets after the offending.

The court was told the defendant has a previous offence of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered on his record, for which he was made subject of a youth referral order.

David Carmichael, for Gallon, said his client had “issues” with anger management during his school days.

Recorder Kidd said given the conviction she would make him subject to indefinite restraining orders relating to both girls.

It forbids him from approaching or contacting either girl, directly or indirectly, effectively for life.

He was also made subject to interim notification as a sex offender.

On his return to the court to be sentenced this week, Judge Kidd imposed the six-year young offenders' institution sentence.

She said the restraining orders would remain in place, while the notification requirements as a sex offender would also continue, “indefinitely”.

A £34 statutory court surcharge was also imposed.

Following the hearing, Judge Kidd confirmed that a previous “gagging” restriction order relating to Gallon, of Lancaster Hill, Peterlee, would be lifted, allowing him to be identified in reports of the case.