BRIAN JEFFRIES FROM CHESTER-LE-STREET AND SUNDERLAND JAILED FOR DECADES-OLD SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has spanned over four decades, a pensioner from the North East has been sentenced to prison for serious sexual offences committed against young girls. Brian Jeffries, now aged 69, was found guilty of abusing four young victims, whose ages ranged from just three to eight years old, with the abuse beginning in the 1970s.

One of the victims, a young girl who was playing in the street in Sunderland at the time, recounted how Jeffries, who was residing in Shiney Row, Sunderland, approached her and asked if she wanted to “play a game all little girls play.” This disturbing incident was part of a series of offences that spanned many years, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.

The case came to light after the first victim, now an adult, reported the abuse to police in 2008. Her testimony prompted a police investigation that eventually led to Jeffries’s arrest. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Jeffries currently resides on Lime Street in Waldridge Village, Chester-le-Street.

Jeffries pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault, which were considered as specimen charges. The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court, where Judge David Wood delivered the sentence. Jeffries was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, a punishment that reflects the legal standards at the time the offences occurred. It is important to note that during the period when these crimes took place, the maximum penalty for indecent assault was five years.

The judge emphasized the lasting impact of Jeffries’s actions on his victims. He stated, “Even though the offences are a long time ago, the effects are still felt by the victims today, and all of them have been quite severely affected in their lives by what happened to them, as is shown in the statements I have read.” As part of his sentence, Jeffries is also required to sign the sex offenders register for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.

Defense lawyer Julian Smith argued that Jeffries, who now suffers from dementia and heart problems, has no prior criminal record. He urged the court to consider the advanced age and health issues of his client, stating, “He is a man of advanced years. The impact of a custodial sentence on him at such a late stage in his life is a factor the court is bound to take into account.” The court acknowledged these circumstances but maintained that justice must be served given the severity of the offences and their long-lasting effects.