PENSIONER JOHN SMITH JAILED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
A pensioner aged 76, John Smith, who was a convicted paedophile, was sentenced to an extended 37-year prison term after he admitted to repeatedly raping and sexually abusing children.Smith passed his victims onto fellow paedophile Jeffrey Brown, who received a 28-year sentence last week.
The crimes began in the 1980s and involved multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, and indecency with a child.
Smith pleaded guilty to six counts of rape—many involving multiple attacks—two counts of indecent assault, and one count of indecency with a child after standing trial for just one day.
His barrister explained that Smith changed his plea last minute upon hearing the Crown's case, reflecting on his situation and not wishing to prolong the suffering of his victims.
The court previously heard statements from survivors, who could not be identified for legal reasons.
One survivor described feeling like they were being shared between Smith and Brown, and expressed how it affected their confidence and trust issues, stating: "It's clear to me they were both sharing me.
During this period I just got on with things every day, I thought it was normal what they were doing to me.
It affected me in several ways, like having a lack of self-confidence and trust issues.
People say I'm strong and brave - but I'm not.
I'm just doing the right thing, saying my side of this horrendous ordeal, so no-one else has to go through this." Another survivor shared that the abuse seriously impacted their development and trust, making it difficult to form meaningful relationships.
Judge Timothy Stead described these offences as very serious and handed Smith an extended sentence comprising 35 years in prison plus 2 years on licence, as well as lifetime registration on the sex offenders' register.
Smith was seen muttering in court before sentencing and will remain on the register for life.
