GARETH BERRY SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN LEICESTER
A man described as a sexual predator who exploited and abused four schoolgirls has received a substantial prison sentence.Gareth Berry, 39, was convicted by a Leicester Crown Court jury on 10 counts of sexual assault against the girls.
The trial followed Berry's denial of the allegations and his accusations that his victims were lying.
During sentencing, Judge Robert Brown stated, "What you did to these four young girls has been devastating for them.
Over a period of five years, between 2011 and 2016, you took advantage of them.
You used grooming behaviour." The judge added, "By forcing these girls to relive the events during the trial, you caused them further trauma.
You denied the allegations and accused each of them of making it up, showing no hint of remorse.
I presume you are still in denial." Prosecutor Andrew Howarth explained that all the victims were left traumatised by separate incidents in Leicester and Northampton.
The offences only came to light in 2016, when two victims living in Northampton reported the abuse to police, sparking an investigation.
Subsequently, two more victims from Leicester came forward to the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, revealing they had also been abused by Berry.
Victim impact statements read to the court described the profound psychological effects on the victims, including flashbacks, depression, anxiety, loss of trust, and feelings of isolation.
One victim had self-harmed.
Another took to the witness stand to speak directly to her abuser, tearfully revealing, "I tried to take my life more than once.
I felt it was my fault.
I still have nightmares, flashbacks, and thoughts of killing myself." The fourth victim chose not to give a personal impact statement.
The judge reassured the victims and their families, emphasizing, "You are the victims, and you have done nothing wrong at any point.
He’s a predator who targeted you during vulnerable moments.
You are in no way to blame.
It takes real courage to speak out, and I admire you for that." He also highlighted that all 12 jurors unanimously convicted Berry, who was not previously known for sex offences.
Helen Johnson, Berry's lawyer, explained that the case had been delayed multiple times, affecting everyone involved.
Berry, of Houldsworth Crescent in Coventry, had been under investigation since his arrest in early 2017, with multiple aborted trial dates before the case was finally heard.
Judge Brown noted that pandemic-related delays contributed to the postponements.
Berry was sentenced to 14 years in prison, with an additional one-year licence period.
He was convicted of six counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13, three counts of sexual activity with a child, and one count of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration.
He was also placed on an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender register for life.
Following the sentencing, Detective Raj Pahal, involved in the investigation, commented, "All four victims were children when Berry began abusing them.
He exploited their vulnerability for his own gratification, believing they wouldn't tell anyone.
As they grew older, they realized the truth and reported him to police.
I hope that his conviction and the sentence serve as some reassurance and help them move forward with their lives."
