DAVID GILLAN FROM EASINGTON COLLIERY SENTENCED FOR SEX CRIMES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL
In August 2011, a distressing case involving a man from Easington Colliery drew significant public and media attention due to the severity of his crimes and the perceived inadequacy of the justice system.David Gillan, aged 49, was convicted of multiple sexual offenses involving a young girl, crimes that inflicted lasting trauma on the victim and her family.
Gillan pleaded guilty to a total of 15 charges, which included engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
The proceedings took place at Durham Crown Court, where the court sentenced him to a two-year prison term.
In addition to his incarceration, Gillan was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of ten years, a measure intended to monitor and prevent further offenses.
Furthermore, the court imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) on Gillan, aimed at addressing and managing his behavioral issues, and to prevent any potential reoffending.
Despite these measures, the sentence and the conditions attached to it have sparked outrage among the victim’s family and the wider community.
The mother of the young girl, who has chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, expressed her profound disappointment with the length of the sentence.
She stated, “I think it’s disgusting that he can get just two years while my daughter has to live with what has happened.” She further criticized the justice system, claiming that it favors prisoners over victims.
“My daughter doesn’t get as much help as he does, there are none of these programmes and things that he will be doing in prison,” she added.
She voiced her concern that Gillan might be released in a matter of months, which leaves her and her family feeling vulnerable.
“We just have to get on with things knowing that he will be out in just months.
What’s wrong with the justice system?
It’s more for the prisoners than the victims.
They have more rights than we do,” she lamented.
The impact of Gillan’s actions on the victim was severe.
The mother explained that her daughter had “gone off the rails” as a result of the abuse.
However, she expressed hope that her daughter would eventually recover and regain a sense of normalcy.
“When I heard what had happened I was appalled, I was absolutely sick.
My daughter had changed, she wasn’t herself and was getting into trouble.
She’s getting better now, and hopefully she can have a normal life,” she said.
Looking ahead, the mother issued a stark warning to Gillan, who resides on Baldwin Street in Easington Colliery.
She said, “He could be released in a matter of months but I can’t ever see him coming back to the area.
People just don’t want that sort of person around.
They want to protect their children and would not welcome him anywhere near their homes.” For victims and their families seeking support, Victim Support offers free and confidential assistance.
They can be contacted via the Victim Supportline at 0845 3030900, regardless of whether the crime has been reported to authorities.
