DAVID GALLON FROM BLYTH SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN NORTHUMBERLAND

In August 2021, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse emerged from the town of Blyth, Northumberland, involving a man named David Gallon, also known as David Storey. Gallon was found guilty of heinous crimes committed against two young girls, with the court sentencing him to a total of five years and three months behind bars.

Gallon’s criminal activities came to light after one of his victims, who was only 12 years old at the time, bravely decided to speak out about the abuse she endured. The young girl revealed that Gallon had subjected her to multiple and repeated sexual assaults during the period of their acquaintance. Initially, she was overwhelmed by fear and shame, which prevented her from reporting the abuse to authorities immediately. However, as she grew older and gained the courage to come forward, her account prompted an official investigation by Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Unit.

Following her disclosure, another woman also came forward, accusing Gallon of rape and naming him as the suspect. This second report added further weight to the case against him, leading to his arrest. Despite the mounting evidence and the serious nature of the allegations, Gallon denied all accusations during police questioning. Nevertheless, the case proceeded to trial at Newcastle Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of multiple charges, including rape, inciting a female child to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching, and four counts of sexual activity with a child. Additionally, Gallon pleaded guilty to an offence of sexual activity with a girl under 16 years of age.

During the court proceedings, one of Gallon’s victims delivered a heartfelt statement, expressing her ongoing pain and confusion. She stated, “I am a victim of abuse. Still today I don’t understand why it was me and that is a question I ask myself daily. I don’t feel like I have had the years that everyone speaks about, ‘teenage years are the best years’ so they say but for me that just is not true. It makes me sick and embarrassed that at just 12-years-old, I had my dignity ripped from me.”

The second victim also shared her emotional trauma, saying, “This male took advantage of me, my trust, my naivety and vulnerabilities and put me through an ordeal that will have lasting effects on me for life in so many different ways. These events have impacted my everyday life, my education, my friends and my family. I have different feelings and emotions every day and trying to do what used to come easy and natural to me is now a struggle.”

Ultimately, the court sentenced David Gallon to a prison term of five years and three months, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the impact on his victims. The case highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and the justice system’s role in holding offenders accountable, especially in cases involving vulnerable children from Blyth and the wider Northumberland area.