GAVIN RENNISON FROM WHITLEY BAY AND YORK JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of York and Whitley Bay, a man named Gavin Peter Rennison, aged 39, has been sentenced to prison for the sexual abuse of a young girl. The incident took place in York, where Rennison was residing at the time, and has left a lasting impact on the victim and her family.

According to court reports, Rennison entered the girl’s bedroom while he believed she was asleep, and committed a sexual assault. Prosecutor Tom Storey detailed that the nine-year-old girl was actually awake during the assault, which makes the incident even more distressing. When her mother returned home, the young girl managed to escape downstairs, and Rennison attempted to persuade her to return to her room. However, the girl, overwhelmed with fear and distress, ran to her mother for safety.

It took some time for her mother to calm her down and listen to her account of what had happened. It was made clear that Rennison was not related to the child, which added a layer of complexity to the case. The girl’s emotional and psychological well-being was severely affected by the ordeal, with court testimonies revealing she now suffers from nightmares and other trauma-related issues.

Following the incident, Rennison’s partner learned of what had transpired and ordered him to leave the shared residence. Rennison then went into hiding for more than a day. He was eventually found sleeping in a layby along the York Outer Ring Road. At the time of his arrest, Rennison was intoxicated, and he later admitted to a drink-driving offence in York Magistrates’ Court.

Rennison, who has ties to both York and Whitley Bay on Tyneside, pleaded guilty to the charges of sexual abuse. His sentencing took place at York Crown Court, where he was handed a two-year prison sentence. Additionally, he was placed on the sexual offenders’ register for a period of ten years.

Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, addressed the court and expressed concern about the long-term effects of the abuse on the young girl. He stated, “The ongoing effects on the child will not probably be known for some time. Hopefully she will be able to put it into the past.” The case underscores the importance of safeguarding children and holding offenders accountable for their actions, regardless of their location or background.