Man jailed for historical child sex abuse

Paul Pender was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court

A man has been jailed for 18 years for the sexual abuse of two children.

Paul Pender, 58, committed historical offences against two children who were both aged under 12 at the time, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

His victims said the lorry driver had devastated their lives, adding that the shame they had felt regarding the abuse should have been his, not theirs, to bear.

Pender, from Wheatley Hill, County Durham, had denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty of 10 offences including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency.

His first victim told the court the abuse had "massively affected" their life and its impact could only be described through "pain, heartbreak and loss".

They said they had felt "scared, alone and unlovable" as a child and had been treated as a "dirty little secret who could be blamed for it all".

"Pender made me feel dirty, degraded and abused," the victim said, adding: "I used to feel deeply ashamed, but have come to realise it's not my shame to hide."

'Incredibly brave'

Pender's other victim said they had repressed the abuse as a child, but the memories had come flooding back after speaking with police.

"My life, as I knew it, was shattered in an instant," they said, adding: "It has infected every part of my life."

Judge Sarah Mallet said both victims had been "incredibly brave" and Pender had inflicted "severe psychological harm" on them.

Judge Mallett said Pender, of Rock Farm Mews, would have to serve two thirds of his jail term before becoming eligible for parole.

In addition, he will have to serve a further year on extended licence.

Pender must sign the sex offender register for the rest of his life, with a sexual harm prevention order also issued, restricting any future contact with children.