ADOPTIVE SIBLINGS GUILTY OF GROOMING AND ABUSE IN LEEDS
Update 20/03/2026 A DJ who systematically groomed and sexually exploited young girls as young as nine years old during the late 1990s has received an additional 12-year prison sentence, adding to his existing 24-year term.Darren Gibson, aged 56, admitted to 43 counts of child sexual abuse, including eight counts of rape, in a November plea.
He was already serving a 24-year sentence for similar crimes.
His adoptive sister and former partner, Rebecca Kirton, aged 41, also pleaded guilty to 14 counts of child sexual abuse related to her involvement.
She was sentenced to an extra 7 years and 6 months, on top of her previous 12-year sentence.
Background details reveal that between 1997 and 2004, Gibson targeted victims at children’s events where he was performing as a DJ, such as a local 'crisps and pop' night at a children's club.
He also lured victims from his community by presenting himself as a trusted, friendly figure, which enabled him to carry out prolonged sexual abuse lasting multiple years.
Kirton, Gibson’s adopted sister, was also his romantic partner, a detail that emerged during their first trial.
She played an active role in facilitating Gibson’s abuse by providing him access to victims and helping carry out the sexual misconduct.
Most of the abuse occurred at their home, within Gibson’s vehicle, at event venues where he performed, and other locations.
One victim described being targeted at a 14th birthday party where Gibson was performing, followed by trips to a nightclub and back to his residence, where she was sexually assaulted.
Gibson frequently intoxicated his young victims with alcohol and, in some cases, drugs prior to abusing them.
He even took some victims to obtain contraception, enabling him to abuse without the threat of pregnancy.
When arrested, both Gibson and Kirton refused to cooperate with police before admitting guilt in November to all charges.
______________________________________________ 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.
