GARY WATERS FROM BLYTH ESCAPES PRISON AFTER GUILTY PLEA IN NORTHUMBERLAND CHILD ABUSE CASE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Blyth, Northumberland, Gary Waters, aged 46, faced the court in Newcastle Crown Court after being accused of serious historical child abuse. The allegations date back to the mid-1980s, when Waters was himself a teenager, and involve disturbing acts committed against a young girl who was only 11 years old at the time.

According to court records, Waters engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct that included spying on the girl in her bathroom. The most egregious incident occurred when Waters was 16, and the victim was just 11. On that occasion, Waters burst into her bedroom, naked from the waist down and with an erection, before proceeding to strip her of her clothing and attempt to engage in sexual activity. During this assault, Waters reportedly told the girl, “it’s just making love,” attempting to justify his actions. The terrified girl managed to fight him off, an act of bravery that prevented further harm but left lasting scars.

The victim, who endured this traumatic experience, only found the strength to come forward and report Waters to the police in 2016. Her decision to speak out was a significant step towards justice, given the long passage of time since the abuse occurred. Throughout police interviews, Waters maintained his innocence, denying all allegations and claiming he was not responsible for the offences. He also denied the accusations during his initial court appearance.

However, just minutes before his trial was set to commence in April, Waters changed his plea to guilty. The court considered the historical nature of the offences and applied relevant guidelines, which resulted in a somewhat lenient sentence. Waters was sentenced to 10 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence within that period. Additionally, the court imposed a 12-month supervision order, requiring Waters to attend specialized classes aimed at exploring and understanding his sexual attraction to children.

Furthermore, Waters was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years. A five-year restraining order was also issued, explicitly prohibiting him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly. The court emphasized that Waters could only have supervised contact with children, ensuring some level of oversight to prevent further harm. These measures reflect the seriousness of the offences and the ongoing concern for the safety of potential future victims in the Blyth community.