Middlesbrough man jailed for historic abuse of young boys

Richard Porter’s abuse had a devastating impact on his victims’ lives as they have both struggled with drug addict and relationship difficulties.

The 50-year-old’s reign of terror came to a shuddering stop when he was seriously injured in a road accident in the mid-80s, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Porter regularly sexually abused his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, for more than two years.

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The harrowing impact the rapist had on the youngsters was laid bare in court when details of their victim impact statements were read out.

One of his victims said the trauma of his ordeal left him seeking solace in heroin and being unable to change the nappy of his own child.

The second victim told how he had been severely impacted by the abuse he suffered at the hands of Porter.

Richard Porter

Porter, of Ettington Avenue, Middlesbrough, was found guilty of eight offences of rape and indecency with a child following a trial.

Andrew Stranex, mitigating, said his client's life had been irrevocably changed when he suffered serious injuries as a teenager and his offending stopped.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said Porter's abuse had left a lasting impact on his victims' lives and jailed him for eight years.

He added: "It was not just experimentation, it was something you plainly enjoyed doing and something that you appreciated that neither of your victims wanted to happen."

Speaking after the court case, Detective Constable Melanie Phelps from Cleveland Police’s Child Abuse and Vulnerable Adults (CAVA) unit, said: “Porter has been sentenced for sexual offences which took place over a long period against victims who were youngsters at the time.

“It was horrific offending which the court heard has had a lasting impact on their lives.

“We must praise the victims who showed bravery in speaking about the harm which was done to them and ensuring we could bring the case to court."