GARY DAKERS FROM MIDDLETON-IN-TEESDALE JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE CADETS IN DURHAM
| Red Rose Database
Middleton-in-Teesdale Child Sexual Abuser
In March 2007, a disturbing case emerged involving Gary Trevor Dakers, a former army cadet instructor from Middleton-in-Teesdale, who was convicted of engaging in inappropriate sexual activities with two 15-year-old girls under his supervision. The incident shed light on a grave breach of trust and the exploitation of vulnerable minors by someone entrusted with their safety and education.
According to court proceedings, Dakers, who was a full-time soldier before his role as a cadet instructor, initially offered lifts to the young girls as part of his duties. However, these seemingly innocent acts escalated into a series of sexual encounters that took place both inside his vehicle and at a relative’s residence, where he was staying during a separation from his wife. The court heard that the sexual activity with one of the girls was unprotected and occurred on approximately twenty to thirty occasions over a span of two months, highlighting the extent of the misconduct.
Prosecutor Shaun Dodds detailed the disturbing nature of the case, revealing that after one girl confided in Dakers about possibly having a sexually transmitted disease, he responded with anger and abruptly ended their relationship. Following this, Dakers sent her threatening text messages, which her mother discovered and subsequently reported to the police. During this period, Dakers shifted his attention to another girl, continuing to have sexual relations with her while providing her with lifts home, further demonstrating a pattern of predatory behavior.
Legal arguments centered around the breach of the instructors’ code of conduct, which explicitly prohibits forming romantic or sexual relationships with cadets and also forbids giving them lifts. When questioned, Dakers admitted he was aware of the girls’ ages but initially denied any sexual activity. Eventually, he confessed to having sex with both girls, claiming that the encounters were consensual. His admission did little to mitigate the severity of his actions.
At Durham Crown Court, Judge Peter Bowers sentenced Dakers, 27, of Leekworth Gardens, Middleton-in-Teesdale, to two years in prison. The judge emphasized the importance of trust placed in individuals like Dakers by the Army, parents, and the public, noting that such trust was severely betrayed. He stated, “You know the Army, the parents, and members of the public put great trust in you to behave responsibly with young girls in your charge, not only to protect them from abuse but to some extent to protect them from themselves.”
As a consequence of his actions, Dakers was dismissed from his position with the cadet force and was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, reflecting the serious nature of his misconduct and the ongoing concern for the safety of minors in such environments.
According to court proceedings, Dakers, who was a full-time soldier before his role as a cadet instructor, initially offered lifts to the young girls as part of his duties. However, these seemingly innocent acts escalated into a series of sexual encounters that took place both inside his vehicle and at a relative’s residence, where he was staying during a separation from his wife. The court heard that the sexual activity with one of the girls was unprotected and occurred on approximately twenty to thirty occasions over a span of two months, highlighting the extent of the misconduct.
Prosecutor Shaun Dodds detailed the disturbing nature of the case, revealing that after one girl confided in Dakers about possibly having a sexually transmitted disease, he responded with anger and abruptly ended their relationship. Following this, Dakers sent her threatening text messages, which her mother discovered and subsequently reported to the police. During this period, Dakers shifted his attention to another girl, continuing to have sexual relations with her while providing her with lifts home, further demonstrating a pattern of predatory behavior.
Legal arguments centered around the breach of the instructors’ code of conduct, which explicitly prohibits forming romantic or sexual relationships with cadets and also forbids giving them lifts. When questioned, Dakers admitted he was aware of the girls’ ages but initially denied any sexual activity. Eventually, he confessed to having sex with both girls, claiming that the encounters were consensual. His admission did little to mitigate the severity of his actions.
At Durham Crown Court, Judge Peter Bowers sentenced Dakers, 27, of Leekworth Gardens, Middleton-in-Teesdale, to two years in prison. The judge emphasized the importance of trust placed in individuals like Dakers by the Army, parents, and the public, noting that such trust was severely betrayed. He stated, “You know the Army, the parents, and members of the public put great trust in you to behave responsibly with young girls in your charge, not only to protect them from abuse but to some extent to protect them from themselves.”
As a consequence of his actions, Dakers was dismissed from his position with the cadet force and was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, reflecting the serious nature of his misconduct and the ongoing concern for the safety of minors in such environments.