Victims 'haunted' by child molester's attacks

Ian Tate was found guilty of five sexual offences against two children

A child abuser who molested two girls almost a decade apart has been jailed for 16 years.

Ian Tate, 48, told his young victims no one would believe them and they were to blame after he sexually abused them, Durham Crown Court heard.

Judge Nathan Adams said both victims had been "haunted" by his actions.

Tate, from Trimdon Grange in County Durham, had denied all offending but was found guilty of five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

His first victim said she felt "physically sick" seeing or hearing his name, even if it was being used by someone else on TV.

She said the abuse had been "devastating" for her mental health and she was "always replaying" what he did and his telling her no one would believe.

She said she had been made to feel as though the abuse was her fault but she now knew the truth.

'Took childhood away'

Tate's second victim, who he abused about nine years after the first, said the assault had "tortured" her life.

She said she had been a "scared little girl" and Tate "convinced" her she was to blame for what happened.

"You took away my childhood but you will not take away my future," the victim said, adding he had "never been man enough" to admit what he did.

Judge Adams said despite Tate's "protestations of innocence" and complete lack of remorse, "clearly [the abuse] took place".

He said both victims were "haunted" by the memories of Tate's actions.

Having been deemed to be an "offender of particular concern", Tate, of Hopper Terrace, will have to serve a further year on extended licence upon his eventual release from prison.

He will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life and comply with a sexual harm prevention order banning him from being in the company of any girl under 18, for 20 years.