Locations
Gregory Terrace, Fencehouses, Houghton Le Spring, DH4
Description
A married couple and their friend who sexually abused a child in the 1990s have now been jailed. David Farrow, 60, his wife Susan Farrow, 52, and their friend Joseph Willis, 74, were brought to justice thanks to the bravery of the victim reporting what had happened to them more than 20 years later.
The extent of the offending came to light after the victim reported the abuse by the trio in Sunderland area. In October 2022, all three were charged in connection with the abuse.
Following two trials at Newcastle Crown Court in April 2024 and April 2025, David Farrow was found guilty of 11 offences, including seven counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault - being that the offences occurred before the Sexual Offences Act was introduced in 2003. Susan Farrow was found guilty of one count of indecent assault and Wills was found guilty of one count of rape.
Following the convictions, David Farrow was remanded into custody. On Thursday, September 11, all three returned to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing.
David Farrow, of Gregory Terrace, Fencehouses, was jailed for 20 years. He will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders' Register and was handed a lifelong restraining order to protect the victim.
Susan Farrow, of Gregory Terrace, Fencehouses, was jailed for 15 months. She will also spend 10 years on the Sex Offenders' Register and was handed a lifelong restraining order to protect the victim.