JONATHON GAUNT

SUNDERLAND CRACK-COCAINE USER JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES CLAIMING DRUG HAZE

A Sunderland crack-cocaine user named Jonathon Gaunt has been convicted of sexually assaulting a child.

During his arrest, Gaunt claimed he was in a "drug-induced haze" and had no memory of the offenses.

He later admitted to police that he had been in this haze at the time of the assault and could not recall the incident.

The court was informed that Gaunt has a history characterized by "sporadic and chaotic" offending behavior.

On Friday, he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for two counts of sexual assault, assault by penetration, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Gaunt pleaded guilty to all charges.

The prosecutor, David Povall, emphasized Gaunt’s status as a user of class A drugs and his history of erratic criminal behavior, including sexually assaulting a child.

The court heard Gaunt told police he had no recollection of the offenses due to his drug use.

His defense, Lorraine Mustard, requested for credit to be given for his guilty pleas, noting that it was his first court appearance for sexual offenses and that he is aware of the immediate custodial sentence he faces.

She also mentioned Gaunt’s mental health issues following his father’s murder ten years prior, his ongoing therapy, and his remorsefulness.

Despite this, Gaunt could not provide an explanation for his actions, merely stating he is a long-term drug user without using this as an excuse.

Ultimately, Recorder Thomas Moran sentenced Gaunt to four years in prison, imposed an indefinite restraining order, and ordered that he remain on the sex offender register indefinitely, along with an ongoing sexual harm prevention order.