IAN GREGORY FROM BASINGSTOKE AND STANLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Basingstoke and Stanley, Ian Gregory, a 46-year-old former soldier, has been convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving a vulnerable young boy. The disturbing details of the case emerged during a court hearing at Winchester Crown Court, revealing the extent of Gregory's criminal actions and the profound impact on his victims.

Gregory, who resided on Fellside Terrace in Stanley at the time of the offenses, was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual misconduct. His crimes included two counts of sexual assault on a child, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of causing a child to view sexual images, and an additional 14 counts related to possession of prohibited images. The abuse reportedly took place while Gregory was living in the Basingstoke area, a detail that underscores the geographical spread of his criminal activities.

The victim's mother, a 33-year-old woman originally from the Consett area but now residing in the south east, recounted the devastating moment her teenage son confided in her about the abuse. She described her feelings of sickness and despair upon hearing her son's revelation, emphasizing the nightmare that such betrayal represents for any parent. She expressed her anguish, saying, “My son said, he's been doing things to me,” and added, “I just felt sick when he told me. As a mother, that is just your worst nightmare.” She also reflected on her feelings of guilt, stating, “It's just the thing you never want to happen. I just felt like I hadn't protected him.”

During the court proceedings, the defense acknowledged that Gregory had begun viewing indecent images of children on the internet after leaving the army five years prior, following a 12-year career in the armed forces. The prosecution highlighted that Gregory’s discovery of a sexual attraction to young boys was a significant factor in his offending behavior. It was also revealed that Gregory had not initially admitted to the sexual assault until police uncovered a video on his phone, which served as crucial evidence in the case.

The court heard that Gregory’s actions had a devastating and lasting effect on the victim and his mother, who have since been forced to relocate from their previous residence to escape the trauma. The judge, in sentencing Gregory to 25 months in prison, described the case as a tragic and all-too-familiar example of the harm caused by such predatory behavior. In addition to the prison term, Gregory was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order and was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for a period of seven years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

As Gregory begins his sentence, the communities of Basingstoke and Stanley are left to grapple with the aftermath of this disturbing case, which highlights the importance of vigilance and protection for vulnerable children against predators.