Gateshead child rapist who abused two girls jailed

John Bell was jailed for 18 years

A man who sexually abused two young girls has been jailed for 18 years.

John Bell, 67 and from Gateshead, abused one girl when she was aged just three or four and another between the ages of 13 and 15, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He had denied eight historic offences, including one of rape, but was found guilty by jurors.

A judge praised his victims for reporting the crimes when they reached adulthood.

In a statement read to the court, Bell's youngest victim said his offending had had a "devastating affect" on her whole life, adding that she struggled to trust people.

Bell was found guilty of indecency with a child in accordance with the laws in place at the time of the offending, but Judge Doig said if it had happened now he would have been charged with rape.

'Living nightmare'

The judge said he was "very sorry" he could only sentence Bell to two years for that offence, one in prison and the other on licence, and the low term in "in no way reflects the seriousness of the offences inflicted" upon the victim.

Bell was also found guilty of six indecent assault charges and one count of rape against the older victim.

In a statement, she told the court Bell, of Aycliffe Place, threatened her to stop telling people what he was doing.

She said the abuse had been a "living nightmare" and had had a "significant impact", leaving her with a fear of the dark.

The judge praised and thanked both women for "their courage in coming forward and seeing the case through to the end".

He jailed Bell for 17 years for the offences against the older victim, with the younger victim's sentence to be served consecutively.

Bell was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and a restraining order was made banning him from contacting the victims.