MAN GAVE GIRL CANNABIS BEFORE ABUSING HER
A child sex offender has been jailed for abusing two girls - first plying one of them with cannabis to get her to comply.Craig Ferguson perpetrated sexual assaults against two girls of school age on separate occasions in the Gateshead region.
During police questioning, Ferguson denied the allegations and was subsequently charged with ten offences related to child sexual abuse.
Following a six-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, the 46-year-old resident of Ulverston Gardens, Gateshead, was convicted of all ten charges.
Previously, he admitted to possessing cannabis and a bladed weapon in a public place.
On June 12, Ferguson appeared again at the same court where he was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
The court designated him as a ‘dangerous offender,’ imposing an additional year on extended licence upon release.
He is required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
As part of his punishment, Ferguson will be on the sex offenders’ register for life, be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, and face two lifelong restraining orders to protect his victims.
