PHILIP BARNABY FROM DARLINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN TEESSIDE

In a landmark case that has shocked the community of Darlington and the wider Teesside area, Philip Barnaby, aged 55, was sentenced to a substantial prison term after being convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving young boys. The case gained particular attention due to the bravery of a three-and-a-half-year-old victim, who played a crucial role in bringing Barnaby to justice.

On a Thursday in April 2014, Barnaby appeared at Teesside Crown Court facing multiple charges related to his disturbing pattern of abuse spanning the late 1990s and early 2000s. The proceedings took an unexpected turn when Barnaby, who had initially maintained a plea of not guilty, suddenly changed his stance at the last moment. As the court prepared for the trial, with jurors about to take their seats and the young victim in a specially adapted room, Barnaby admitted to raping one child and sexually assaulting another. This plea change resulted in a conviction that would see him serve a lengthy prison sentence.

Throughout the trial, the court heard from the mother of the youngest victim, who was granted the rare privilege of reading an impact statement directly to the court. Her words were filled with pain and anger as she described her feelings of horror and betrayal. She stated, “My main emotion is pure anger and hatred. I’m haunted by the thoughts of what my little boy had to go through. I feel physically sick. Philip Barnaby is a monster who cannot be changed. He has wrecked my little boy’s innocence. I have a life sentence just so he could get sexual gratification. I wish Philip Barnaby could just stop breathing, but then that would be just too nice.”

Police and court officials highlighted the extraordinary bravery of the young victim, who, despite his tender age, was able to give evidence in court through a carefully managed process involving video recordings and meticulous planning by law enforcement and child protection agencies. The police expressed their admiration for the child’s resilience, noting that he viewed his role as a “special job” and was eager to tell the “boss” (the judge) the truth, comparing himself to Jake from Neverland Pirate. This approach was considered groundbreaking, as it minimized trauma and ensured the child's safety during the proceedings.

Judge’s remarks underscored the severity of Barnaby’s crimes, emphasizing the irreparable harm caused to the victims and their families. The judge stated, “Your crimes are so serious because the harm that they have caused to both families are irreparable. The effect on her and her son needs nothing more said by me.”

Following his guilty plea, Barnaby was sentenced to 15 and a half years in prison. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from contacting children under 16 and from owning any device with a camera. The authorities made it clear that Barnaby’s actions demonstrated a persistent and dangerous pattern, with police officials describing him as a significant threat to children. Detective Constable Lynsey Eglington praised the efforts of all involved, emphasizing the importance of the coordinated approach that allowed the young victim to give evidence safely and effectively.

Eglington remarked, “This case was unique because the victim — a boy aged three years and six months old — would have been the youngest in the country to have given evidence at court against the abuser. We had to carry out meticulous planning to secure the child’s evidence and determine how it would be presented to the court. Throughout this process, his well-being was constantly monitored and assessed. This ‘working together’ approach made this achievable and it gave the family confidence in how we were securing their son’s statement and safeguarding him through the court process.”

She further added, “Due to the planning being so precise and well-orchestrated, the little boy was looking forward to going to court to speak to the ‘Boss’ (the judge) and was excited that he had an important job to do. He compared himself to Jake, the Neverland Pirate. Our two main goals were to secure and present the child’s evidence without causing further distress and to hold accountable a sexual predator who specifically targeted children. Philip Barnaby has offered no explanation to the police, but it is obvious he presents a great danger to children. He cannot control his sexual urges for children, and this risk will always be present. He cannot change.”