Locations
Hartington Road, Stockton, TS18
Description
A sex offender shook his head in denial as he was jailed for eight years. Daniel Dixon, 34, raped a child as a teenager, forced another to watch explicit sex videos, and raped a second victim years later.
Dixon denied the offenses but was convicted after a trial at Teesside Crown Court, where Judge Joanne Kidd said the evidence against him "had been overwhelming."
In court statements, one victim described suffering suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression from the abuse. The second felt "ashamed, embarrassed and dirty."
Dixon, of Hartington Road in Stockton, was found guilty of rape, child rape, and causing a child to watch a sex act.
In mitigation, barrister Victoria Lamballe called Dixon a "victim of his upbringing," claiming he was physically and emotionally abused. "A boy who has grown up around domestic violence, has gone on to abuse himself," she said.
Judge Kidd told Dixon he had shown one victim "a highly disturbing video, to try and normalise what you were about to do. You forced yourself on [the victim]." She added that he had "continued to maintain his innocence and has a lot of work to do in custody, to make sure your attitude does not go with you throughout your adult life."
Dixon was sentenced to eight years, serving two-thirds before parole eligibility, plus a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.
Detective Sergeant Claire McNeill of Cleveland Police said:
"The victims in this case suffered considerable trauma from what they went through, but I must commend their bravery in coming forward to report to police and I thank them for their support throughout our lengthy investigation.
"Dixon added to their stress and pain by continuing to deny what he had done but I’m relieved that a jury has now convicted him and that he’ll spend a considerable amount of time in prison. I do hope the victims share my relief and they can be further reassured that on his eventual release, Dixon will be subject to lifelong and strict conditions. We will be monitoring him closely and will take decisive action on any breaches."