JOHN GILLIS SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS IN PRISON IN NEWCASTLE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES
A pensioner named John Gillis, aged 81, who subjected a young girl to a campaign of rape that left her traumatized for life, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.Gillis, who is also known as Jack and resides on Plessey Road in Blyth, Northumberland, believed he had escaped justice for his heinous crimes committed many years ago.
However, he was finally convicted after a trial in May of six counts of rape—three of which involved the victim being under 13—and two counts of indecent assault.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Tim Gittins sentenced Gillis, stating: "You vilely abused her, raping her repeatedly despite the obvious distress and pain you knew you were causing her." The judge also revealed that the victim, who was only seven at the time, attempted to disclose the abuse to Gillis's mother when she was 15; however, her claims were dismissed and she was accused of lying.
Judge Gittins remarked that Gillis did everything he could to make her perception invalid, noting: "You arrogantly dismissed her complaint and, frankly, dismissed her as a human being.
There has been no shame from you, no contrition." He added that even during cross-examination, Gillis sought to shift blame onto the victim, claiming she was coming onto him.
The court described Gillis as a dangerous offender and a serial rapist, emphasizing the profound impact on the survivor's life.
"The truth is now out thanks to her courage," the judge said.
"You were a paedophile and a serial rapist, and she is a survivor but at an almost catastrophic cost to almost every aspect of her life." Gillis, who also faces being on the sex offenders register indefinitely, was told he must serve two-thirds of his sentence.
His defense attorney, Phil Gibbs, acknowledged his client's age and remarked, "He may well spend the rest of his life in prison.
He is an elderly man.
It's a difficult age to find himself in prison.
Every day will be difficult." Gillis was taken into custody following his sentencing, and the victim, visibly distressed, expressed her feelings about her ordeal, saying: "He was like a beast on the prowl and I was his prey.
I felt worthless and have tried to commit suicide several times because I couldn't live with the shame of what he did." She concluded with a poignant message for Gillis: "Jack, where you are today, because of your arrogance, you believed yourself invincible but you have been proved wrong and justice has been met.
You have to carry the brand paedophile for the rest of your life.
May you languish in prison for the rest of your pathetic life."
