GARY SMITH'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN REDCAR: 8 YEARS SENTENCE FOR CHILD RAPE

In a case that has shocked the community of Redcar, Gary Smith, a 35-year-old man, was sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The crimes, which took place in Redcar, have left a lasting impact on the victim and the local community, highlighting the ongoing battle against child abuse and the importance of justice.

Back in January 2011, Smith was convicted of three counts of raping a child after a detailed police investigation and a court hearing at Teesside Crown Court. The proceedings revealed the disturbing details of his actions, which he admitted to immediately upon being questioned by police. When asked directly if he had raped the girl, Smith responded without hesitation, “Yes I have,” acknowledging his guilt from the outset.

During the police interview, Smith expressed a mixture of remorse and relief. He admitted that he had taken advantage of the young girl, describing his actions as having “killed her childhood.” When questioned about his feelings upon being confronted, he said he was “shocked that it came out” but also “slightly relieved” that his crimes were finally exposed. Smith went on to say, “I’m not proud of what I’ve done. Quite scared of what I’ve done and amazed that I didn’t stop.” He also revealed that he felt conflicted about his actions, stating, “I’ve always felt I’m intelligent enough to know what I’m doing is wrong. But I’m also strong enough to know that I deserve to be punished.”

Prosecutor Joseph Spencer highlighted the internal struggle Smith faced, noting that he “couldn’t understand what possessed him to do these things.” He emphasized that Smith accepted the horrific nature of his crimes and acknowledged that he had destroyed the girl’s innocence. The court heard that the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told Smith to stop and get off her, but he continued to molest her despite her protests.

Following the first assault, Smith expressed remorse, claiming he “didn’t know what had come over him” and promised it would never happen again. The young girl confided in friends and her mother about her ordeal, which led to the allegations being formally reported to authorities. Smith, who was employed as civilian staff at a police station custody suite, admitted to the sexual abuse when confronted by police. He confessed to kissing, touching, and raping the girl, admitting that he “felt bad but it didn’t stop him trying to do it again.” Despite her protests and saying no, he forced her to perform sexual acts.

Remarkably, Smith revealed that he committed these acts while his wife was in hospital, about to give birth to their child. He told officers that he stopped his assaults only when the girl told him he had hurt her, indicating a moment of conscience amid his actions.

Defense lawyer Robert Mochrie described Smith’s attitude during police interviews as one of “unequivocal regret and remorse.” He emphasized that Smith’s cooperation and immediate admission of guilt demonstrated his remorse and understanding of the severity of his crimes. Mr. Mochrie pointed out that Smith’s honesty helped the victim avoid the trauma of giving evidence in court, as he was willing to accept the consequences of his actions.

Judge Peter Fox QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, addressed the court and the defendant, stressing the lifelong impact of the crimes on the young victim. “She was a particularly vulnerable victim,” he said, underscoring the gravity of the case. Recognizing Smith’s immediate remorse, the judge reduced his sentence by more than a third, but still sentenced him to eight years in prison. “The repetition of your conduct cannot be overlooked,” he stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Melanie Phelps expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, reaffirming Cleveland Police’s commitment to tackling sexual abuse. She stated, “Cleveland Police takes incidents of sexual abuse extremely seriously and will work to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable members of society from predatory individuals like Gary Smith.