Stockton man jailed for historic sexual abuse of boy

STOCKTON MAN JAILED FOR HISTORIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOY

A rapist who sexually abused a boy when he was a teenager has been jailed for five years.

Paul Ferguson, of Petch Street in Stockton, carried out the horrific rapes and sexual assaults on a number of occasions more than 20 years ago.

The victim reported the rape as an adult in May 2022, giving a detailed account to officers and sparking an investigation.

In 2022, Ferguson, now 39, was interviewed by officers and denied the offences, but, following the investigation, he was then charged in 2024.

After pleading not guilty at an earlier hearing, his trial began at Teesside Crown Court on June 16 - and on the third day, he pleaded guilty to all the offences.

On Friday, August 29, Ferguson was jailed for five years at Durham Crown Court for three counts of rape of a boy under 16 and two counts of indecent assault of a boy under 14.

Detective Constable Niamh Birdsall said: “What Ferguson did to the boy was horrific and he has had to live with the trauma of it, throughout his life as a child and an adult.

“It is as an adult, that he gained the courage and bravery to confide in those close to him about what happened, then disclose it to police and to see it right through the court process.

“I hope this also provides courage to other people who may have experienced abuse, that no matter when it happened, it is never too late to be heard and to seek justice.

“While I understand it is extremely traumatic, there are specialist services available to provide support throughout.”