DARLINGTON CHILD RAPIST ANTHONY WEAD JAILED FOR 15 YEARS
A CHILD rapist has been locked up for 15 years after being found guilty of abusing two young victims 20 years ago.Anthony Wead, who was accused of targeting the youngsters in the late 1990s, remained impassive as the sentence was passed at Teesside Crown Court, via videolink to Durham Prison.
His two victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sat in the public gallery throughout the hearing.
Judge Stephen Ashurst warned a woman in the public gallery that she would be removed from the courtroom if she made another comment towards the victims after they made a complaint about her behaviour.
Prosecuting lawyer Robin Patton told the court that the victims had suffered significant psychological damage as a result of Wead's sexual abuse when he himself was a teenager.
One victim had difficulty forming and retaining relationships as a direct result of the abuse.
The other victim felt 'disgusted' about what had happened but didn't fully understand the extent of the damage until they became a parent.
Wead, of Chandos Street, Darlington, was found guilty of two charges of rape against one victim and one charge of rape and another sexual assault on the other after a trial at the same court.
Defense lawyer Paul Abrahams acknowledged the guilt but urged the judge to consider that Wead was just a teenager at the time.
Judge Ashurst commented that both victims had suffered 'severe psychological harm' and that the impact of Wead's actions had been extremely serious, affecting their lives and relationships.
He sentenced Wead to two consecutive eight-year terms for the rapes, with a six-year term for a third rape.
An additional two-year concurrent sentence was given for sexual assault, along with a one-year extended licence period.
Wead was also issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign the sexual offenders' register until further notice upon release from prison.
