October 2016 Paedophile groomed child with alcohol and money – asking her to keep their ‘little secret’ A pervert who groomed a young victim with money and alcohol so that she would keep their “little secret” has been jailed. George Gray had been abusing the youngster for about a year and half when she plucked up the courage to tell the police what had been happening. Newcastle Crown Court was told the 68-year-old, of Redhill Road, Hylton Red House, took advantage of his victim. He was found guilty of 11 counts involving the young girl, which included 10 of sexual activity with a child and one of sexual activity in the presence of child, after a trial. The retired vehicle valet was also convicted of one count of attempted sexual assault relating to a single incident involving a young boy. The court heard that during his campaign of abuse, Gray would “touch her inappropriately” whenever they were alone. Judge Tim Gittins said: “It is right to say that she asked you to desist. “However you did not. Judge Tim Gittins said: “It is right to say that she asked you to desist. “However you did not. “You tried to persuade her that it was your little secret and groomed her using alcohol and money.” Jailing Gray for nine years, Judge Gittins told him: “You knew she was a vulnerable young girl and you took advantage.” Gray was also made to sign the sex offenders register for life and to obey as sexual harm prevention order upon his release. The conditions of this included having no unsupervised contact with children under 16.