Paedophile who abused two schoolboys jailed for 10 years

A South Shields paedophile who abused two schoolboys has been jailed for ten years.

Paul Vickers denied he had abused the boys and claimed one was lying about his ordeal, while the other had misinterpreted what happened to him.

After a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in June Vickers, 39, of Moreland Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, was convicted of six offences by a jury.

At his sentencing hearing, the mothers of the victims provided statements and said the offences have had a devastating impact on the boys and their families. Judge Amanda Rippon said Vickers’ offending has had a “gross impact”.

On top of the ten-year jail term, Vickers must sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for life. The judge said: “The situation in custody is extremely difficult with overcrowding and there remains a problem with Covid.

“I do take these things into account but here is only one sentence in your case and that is an immediate and significant custodial sentence.”

Jurors convicted Vickers of causing or inciting a child to watch a sexual act, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child and three offences of sexual assault of a child.