JACK BOLTON OF GATESHEAD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE CASE IN NEWCASTLE
Jack Bolton, a resident of Dunston, is a convicted sex offender and former Boys' Brigade officer with a long history of sexual offenses against young boys.His criminal record includes dozens of convictions related to indecent assaults spanning back to the 1970s.
In 2011, Bolton was sentenced to nine years in prison for 33 counts of indecent assault.
Now at 79 years old and living on Yetholm Road, Dunston, Gateshead, Bolton has admitted to abusing a young boy approximately 30 years ago.
The victim, now an adult, bravely came forward, describing how Bolton groomed him by offering to let him drive his car and sitting him on his knee, which facilitated the abuse.
During the hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, the victim recounts that Bolton, who used to sell eggs, would take him out in his car.
Prosecutor Lee Fish stated: "He would ask the complainant if he wished to drive his car and would sit him on his knee to facilitate this.
The prosecution say at this time he had a clear sexual interest in young boys.
This was classic grooming behaviour.
The defendant then sexually abused him." Bolton pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting the victim, acknowledging it occurred no more than five times, and also admitted to indecency with a child, stating it happened no more than ten times.
He was subsequently sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
In a victim impact statement, the man shared the profound effect the abuse has had on his life, saying: "Looking back I can see this has affected my entire life.
The effect of telling people what happened to me has seeped into every aspect of my life.
I feel unclean and there's a stain that can't be washed off.
Hopefully by letting him know how I feel I can start to get over this and leave him where he belongs, in the past, not affecting my future." Judge Tim Gittins emphasized that he was required to adhere to the sentencing guidelines that were in place at the time of the offences, which are less severe than current standards.
He remarked: "(The victim) is now a survivor of your depraved behaviour.
He has shown considerable courage coming forward in these circumstances when almost every aspect of his life has been subject to substantial damage because of what you did to him when he was a young boy." Apart from the prison term, Bolton will remain on the sex offender register for life and is subject to a sexual offences prevention order.
The court also noted his extensive criminal history, which includes 52 previous convictions, mostly for crimes involving the sexual abuse of young boys.
His past convictions include offenses from 1970, 1992, 1995, and 1997, culminating in his 2011 incarceration.
Defence lawyer Annelise Haugstad confirmed that Bolton pleaded guilty and noted that the offenses occurred over a relatively short period.
