May 2022 Beast with ‘strong desire to abuse boys’ jailed for 21 years for child rape A serial child sex offender with a “very strong desire to abuse boys” has been caged for 21 years after he raped a schoolboy. Philip Shield, 68, was previously jailed in 2010 for nine years after he was found guilty of offences against three minors. This week a court heard how a fourth victim has now bravely spoken out and reported what Shield did to him as a child. Shield, from Gateshead, denied the crimes but was convicted of offences of rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child following a trial. Prosecutor Glenn Gatland read a statement from the victim when Shield was being sentenced, in which he said: “I never feel safe. I don’t know if I will ever feel safe again. “You have not only destroyed a boy back then but you have also damaged a man forever. I am not the man I could have been.” Judge Julie Clemitson sentenced Shield to 21 years with an extended licence of one year Shield must sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for life. Judge Clemitson said Shield appears to have a “very strong desire to abuse boys”. The judge said the latest victim suffered “severe” psychological harm as a result of the offences and many aspects of his life have been affected. May 2010 Pervert jailed for six years for sexually abusing three young boys A Haltwhistle man has been jailed for six years for sexually abusing three young boys Philip Shield (56), of Woodhead Park, put each of his victims through years of torment, telling one he would “wring his neck” if he told anyone what was going on. Sentencing him at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, the judge, Recorder David Hodson, said Shield’s actions had had a significant detrimental impact on all their lives. Prosecuting, Christopher Attwool said the most recent spate of abuse had taken place between January 1, 2008, and May 4, 2009. “The victim stated that, when the abuse first started, he was told not to tell anybody what happened or Shield would wring his neck – and he believed that threat,” he said. The court heard that when arrested and interviewed, Shield admitted the offences. “He couldn’t give an explanation as to why he had begun this,” Mr Attwool continued. “He said that he didn’t want to abuse any other children and that he had not committed such offences before.” However, when charges were brought against him, two other victims came forward, claiming that around 30 years ago, Shield had abused them in a similar way. One of the victims recalled how he had warned him not to tell anyone, saying no-one would believe him anyway. Shield initially denied these offences, saying he had not been in contact with the boys during the alleged period. Police, however, were able to confirm this was untrue. Defending Sarah Mallett said Shield, who pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child, indecent assault and gross indecency with a child, was a man of previous good character, with no criminal record. She asked for credit to be given for his guilty pleas and “fulsome admissions” to police. “He is deeply ashamed of his actions and has expressed to me on a number of occasions that he truly regrets doing what he did,” she said. “He is now ready to accept the consequences. “It’s accepted that these are very serious offences and there are a lot of aggravating factors. “But there was a gap of almost 30 years between the two sets of offences, both of which occurred in very similar circumstances. “The gap suggests that unless those specific circumstances arise again, it is entirely reasonable to assess the risk of re-offending as low. “And the likelihood of those circumstances arising again is undoubtedly minimal.” Mr Recorder Hodson accepted this was the case and noted that Shield’s guilty pleas had saved the victims from having to give evidence. For each set of offences, he handed down a prison sentence of three years. The two sentences for the older offences, however, would run concurrently, making a total of six years’ imprisonment. The 353 days Shield has spent on remand will be taken off this. After the court case, a relative of one of the victims said they were stunned that the sentence was not more severe. “He has ruined so many lives with what he’s done. Our family has gone through hell and back and six years in prison just isn’t sufficient justice.”