IAN GREGORY SENTENCED IN DURHAM FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND IMAGES
A local mother in Durham has shared her distressing experience upon discovering that her son was a victim of sexual exploitation by Ian Gregory.The mother recounted how she felt overwhelmed with sickness and shock when her young son confided in her about the abuse he had suffered.
She described the moment as one of the most traumatic in her life, emphasizing the devastating impact this ordeal had on her family.
Ian Gregory, whose residence was traced to Fellside Terrace, Stanley, near Gateshead, was convicted last week and subsequently sentenced to over two years in prison.
He pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual misconduct involving a minor, including two counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of causing a child to view explicit images, and a further 14 counts related to the possession of prohibited images depicting minors.
The victim, a vulnerable child at the time, was subjected to Gregory’s abuse while he was residing in Basingstoke.
During the court proceedings, the defense attorney, Adrienne Knight, revealed details about Gregory’s troubling online habits.
She explained that Gregory, aged 46, had begun accessing indecent images of children via the internet after ending a 12-year career in the army five years prior.
Her statement indicated that Gregory had developed an attraction to young boys after browsing such material online.
Knight conveyed Gregory’s internal turmoil in her statements, saying, ‘‘Mr.
Gregory states: I don’t like myself for the way I feel.
I didn’t ask to be born like this.
It’s criminal and it’s awful, but he can’t help the way he was born.
He wants to come out of this a better man,’’ emphasizing the complex and troubling nature of his psychological state.
The Crown prosecutor, Barnaby Shaw, highlighted the profound effect Gregory's crimes have had on the young victim and his mother.
The court heard that the victim had been experiencing severe psychological distress, including nightmares and sleep disturbances.
Shaw pointed out that both the victim and his mother had been forced to relocate from their previous residence to escape the trauma associated with the abuse.
Shaw also disclosed that Gregory had not cooperated with authorities by admitting to the sexual assault until investigators uncovered a video on his phone, which provided concrete evidence of his misconduct.
In sentencing, Judge Guy Boney emphasized Gregory’s past reputation as an exemplary army officer before his criminal conduct surfaced.
The judge described Gregory as a man of good character prior to these offenses but sentenced him to 25 months of imprisonment, citing the shame he now bears.
Additionally, Gregory was subject to a sexual offences prevention order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next seven years, in accordance with the severity of his crimes and their impact on the victim and the community.
