JOHN GUNN'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN SCUNTHORPE: PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS

In December 2002, a disturbing case unfolded in Hull Crown Court involving John Gunn, a 56-year-old farm worker from Epworth near Scunthorpe, who was convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving young children. The court heard that Gunn, described as a brutal and perverted individual, had inflicted severe sexual abuse on several victims, including a seven-year-old girl and a number of young boys, leaving a trail of emotional and physical scars.

One of the most shocking revelations was that Gunn, after sexually assaulting one of his young victims, handed her a £5 note, an act that the victim described as making her feel like a prostitute. During her testimony, she remained composed and told the jury that she was speaking out for her own sake, stating, “I am doing this for me.” Her words underscored the deep trauma inflicted by Gunn’s actions.

Gunn, who initially protested his innocence regarding the most serious charges of rape, later admitted feelings of guilt concerning the young girl’s abuse. He confessed that the memory of the incident had haunted him for over 30 years, indicating a long-standing internal struggle with remorse.

Throughout the trial, Gunn faced multiple charges, including wounding and two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of consent. He also pleaded guilty to a series of common assaults on three boys. Despite his pleas, the court found him guilty of two counts of rape and buggery, crimes that revealed a pattern of predatory behavior.

Judge Tom Cracknell delivered a stern sentence, condemning Gunn as a “brutal, selfish autocratic and perverted man.” The judge emphasized the devastating impact of Gunn’s actions, stating, “Your sexual abuse of that girl has emotionally disfigured her – all to satisfy your perverted lust.” Gunn was sentenced to 10 years in prison, a punishment reflecting the severity of his crimes.

In addition to his prison sentence, Gunn was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The court also found him not guilty of raping a woman outside the Swan pub in Barton and of three assaults causing actual bodily harm. At the start of the trial, Gunn had admitted to wounding charges, two indecent assaults on the girl, and four common assaults on females and young boys, but the verdicts confirmed the gravity of his offenses.

Overall, the case highlights the disturbing nature of Gunn’s crimes and the justice served in holding him accountable for his actions in the town of Scunthorpe and beyond.