A PAEDOPHILE who sexually assaulted two young girls and assaulted a woman who questioned him, has been jailed.

Charles Crane, now 63, of Wardley Drive, Wardley, Gateshead, would threaten his victims, telling one he would ‘kill her’ if she ever told and taunting the other, saying no one would ever believe her.

His offending came to light in February 2017 when one of the victims, now an adult, bravely came forward.

Echoing her courage, the second victim bravely told her story too.

Crane, whose offending dated back to the late 1960s and 70s, denied all the charges against him.

However following a five day trial at Newcastle Crown Court in December 2019, he was found guilty of a string of sexual assaults, including nine cases of indecency with a child, eight cases of indecent assault, a case of gross indecency with a girl under 14 and one case of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16.

He was also found guilty of one case of assault causing actual bodily harm, after he held a women’s head under water. He then punched her in the face.

This was after she questioned him after witnessing suspicious behaviour.

On Friday, a judge heard as the victims’ impact statements were read out in court, speaking of the unfading emotional scars left on them following the abuse.

One victim said: “The abuse he put me through made me feel so dirty and disgusting. I would constantly go in the bath, desperately trying to get clean, but no matter how hard I washed, I never felt clean.”

Looking forward to hopefully finding some peace, she said: “Throughout my life I have always tried so hard to put that monster back in the box, shut these memories away, bury them.”

She added: “The memories, flashbacks and awful thoughts kept creeping back in. This is why eventually, after all of these years, I have finally come forward and reported this to the police.

“I am just desperate to try and recover from this and move forward and I am hoping this will help give me some closure that I desperately need.”

Crane has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars and made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Detective Constable Nicola Marshall, the officer in charge of the case, says she is in awe of the victims’ bravery.

She said: “Charles Crane’s crimes were horrific and I want to commend the victims for the extreme courage they have shown throughout the entire ordeal.

“This is a truly awful case that sees a man so depraved and unfeeling, he nearly drowned a woman who dared question him.

“It took real courage to approach police and come forward and even greater bravery was shown in the face of a five day trial, after Crane cowardly attempted to deny his guilt.

“His guilt was recognised by the court and he is now behind bars where he belongs.

“I know no sentence will ever take away the pain but I hope his victims can take comfort knowing they have helped put a dangerous man in prison where he can no longer prey on the innocent.

“I encourage anyone out there who may have experienced or is experiencing any form of sexual abuse to report it. Every report will be taken seriously, treated with the utmost compassion and you will be fully supported.

“Our officers will also use all the techniques available to us to put offenders before the courts.

"No matter how long ago the offence took place, we will do everything we possibly can to bring people like Crane to justice.”

An NSPCC spokesperson added: “Crane’s disturbing actions show a complete disregard for the children who suffered because of his vile behaviour and violent threats.

“Thanks to the courage of his victims, who have lived with the consequences of these horrific actions for many years, Crane has now been brought to justice.

“We want survivors of child sexual abuse to know they will be listened to and supported, regardless of how many years have passed since the offences took place.

“They can speak in confidence to trained counsellors at the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, while Childline is there for young people on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk.”

Anyone who has been a victim of rape, sexual assault or abuse, recent or historic, is asked to contact police on 101.