ADOPTIVE SIBLINGS GUILTY OF GROOMING AND ABUSE IN LEEDS

Two adoptive siblings, Darren Gibson aged 54 and Rebecca Kirton aged 39, have been sentenced to prison for jointly abusing three girls. The offences took place in the early 2000s. Despite denying multiple sexual offences, they were found guilty by a jury at Leeds Crown Court in September. The judge, Mushtaq Khokhar, described their actions as having "taken the innocence" of their victims, one of whom was just 10 years old when the abuse began. Gibson was sentenced to 24 years in prison, convicted of 17 counts including rape and sexual assault involving all three victims, while Kirton received 12 years after being convicted of four charges related to the first victim, who was abused from age 10 to 16 over six years. Gibson had met two of the victims at discos where he was a DJ, and both siblings lived together in Armley at the time of the offences. Gibson was also involved in a sexual relationship with the third victim after grooming her at events where he performed as a DJ. Additionally, Gibson targeted teenage girls in Leeds, meeting them at social events and abusing them during these encounters. It was revealed both Gibson and Kirton had a relationship, with Gibson's adoptive mother having been Kirton’s foster carer. The court highlighted that Gibson had served prison time previously for violent offences; Kirton had no convictions before this case and had been acting as a mentor in prison. Both were told they would serve at least two-thirds of their sentences before being eligible for parole and must register as sex offenders for life.