Locations
Lowther Avenue, Chester-le-street, Chester Le Street, Durham, DH2
Description
A paedophile has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison – as his victims are praised for their bravery in reporting the harrowing sexual abuse they suffered at his hands.
In 2020, one victim disclosed that Ross Jackson had been sexually abusing her in the Newcastle area.
This then led to the discovery of similar offending against another victim in the Durham area.
Northumbria Police immediately began an investigation into Jackson and after collating evidence he was interviewed.
Jackson was then charged with a string of offences which he denied. He stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court in December 2025 and was found guilty of 24 separate offences including several rapes, seven counts of sexual assault by touching and possession of extreme pornography. Following the trial Jackson was remanded in custody.
Jackson, now 39, of Lowther Avenue in Chester-le-Street, was put before the Moot Hall in Newcastle on Tuesday, February 3, where he was sentenced to a 23-year jail term. He will also spend five years on extended licence once he is released from prison.
Jackson will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and handed a restraining order which prevents him from contacting his victims.
Detective Constable Rachel Fletcher, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding department, led the complex investigation against Jackson.
Following his sentencing, she said: “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the victims in this case. They have shown huge courage by initially reporting the horrific abuse they were subjected to by Jackson to us.
“Thanks to their bravery, a dangerous offender has been rightly put behind bars for a significant period of time. I sincerely hope that Jackson’s sentencing will allow them and their families to begin to rebuild their lives after what must have been a traumatising period of time for them both.”
Det Con Fletcher added:
“Jackson is a predatory paedophile who has caused untold damage to the lives of his victims.
“When we were first made aware of allegations of sexual offences by him, we swiftly began a thorough investigation in order to build a comprehensive file of evidence which allowed us to obtain a raft of charges.
“Despite pleading not guilty and going to trial, I am glad that the jury saw through his lies to convict him of these incredibly serious crimes.
“I also hope this case acts as a reminder to anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse that if you choose to come forward we will listen to you and you will be heard.”