NORTH EAST MAN JAILED FOR SEX ATTACKS ON TWO CHILDREN WHEN HE WAS A SCHOOLBOY
A man who sexually abused two children when he was a schoolboy has been jailed.Philip Coats was convicted of offences including rape after a trial.
The now-28-year-old threatened one victim that he would push them down some stairs if they didn't do what he wanted and used his greater strength to overpower them.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the other victim was told by Coats that the victim's mother wouldn't love them anymore if they reported the abuse.
Coats, of Ingham Grange, South Shields, who continues to deny the offences, was found guilty of two counts of rape and two of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Now he has been jailed for seven years, a sentence which was reduced by around two-thirds due to the fact he was a child at the time of the offences.
During the sentencing hearing, one of his victims said in a statement: "There are no words to fully express the pain and devastation he has caused.
The fear and pain are still with me." "I'm no longer the helpless (child) you hurt, I'm growing and healing.
For a long time I believed I was damaged goods and that no-one could ever love someone like me." "Slowly, I have come to believe I'm worthy." "Today I stand here not just for myself but the (child) I used to be." They added that they hope "justice is served", including for "everyone else who has had their voices taken from them".
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The second victim said the abuse affected their schooling and made them feel angry and caused behavioural changes.
They added: "I prefer to be on my own and struggle with trusting people." "I'm glad I've now been believed and got my justice.
I hope you use your time to reflect that what you did was so wrong and so cruel." "You deserve everything that's coming to you and after today you will never be in my thoughts again because you mean nothing to me." As well as the prison sentence, Coats, who has no other convictions on his record, must sign the sex offenders register and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order.
Peter Sabiston, defending, said: "Whatever sentence that's imposed will have a devastating impact on Mr Coats."
