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A North East man has been handed a life sentence after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault against three children.
Ian Tague, 41, from Gateshead, has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years after being sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday (May 12).
Tague had been charged with 25 counts of rape and sexual assault against three children.
He had been found guilty by a jury last May at the same court and remanded in custody.
He must serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars before being considered for parole, and was made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and prevented from ever contacting his victims.
Sergeant Nicola Wade of Northumbria Police’s Child and Adult Protection Unit said: “Tague is a monster – there’s no other word for him. He is a danger to children and I am so thankful to the exceptionally brave victim who spoke out against him.
“Thanks to their bravery, we were able to identify other victims, who then bravely spoke out themselves, and build a strong case against vile Tague.
“Tague has undoubtedly robbed them of their innocence but I hope they grow up knowing that what happened to them was never their fault, they did not deserve it and that they have shown incredible resilience.
"Thanks to them, Tague has been exposed for the predator he is, removed from society and will forever more be known as a vile paedophile.
“I truly hope this sentence gives the survivors and their families a sense of justice and comfort and they can begin to look to the future.