Barry Farrant Durham Paedophile
Barry Farrant Durham Paedophile

This is the visage of a Durham Paedophile Barry Farrant who exploited and abused ‘vulnerable’ children. Sixty-seven-year-old Barry Farrant perpetrated sexual assault against his victims in Essex between the 1990s and 2000s, prior to their disclosure to law enforcement in 2020.

Following an extensive investigation by the Child Abuse Investigation Team, he was indicted in July 2023 on seven counts of indecent assault against a female under the age of 14 and five counts of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 14.

One woman said: “Barry Farrant entered my life while I was still trying to learn the world around me. Taking advantage of my vulnerabilities for his own gain, he created a life that no child should experience.

“When I spoke to Essex Police in 2020 I was no longer able to bury the mental and emotional pain I was suffering. The last four years have been difficult, upsetting and important not just for me but for any child who has experienced abuse like the abuse Barry Farrant inflicted upon me.”

One of the victims also bravely said: “I gain no pleasure from speaking up, and struggle to think of strangers seeing this side of me, but what feels right is knowing that by doing this I can play a small part in safeguarding the next generation against the very real monsters threatening to take away another childhood.”

Barry Farrant, of Front Street in Durham, pleaded not guilty, but a jury found him guilty of all charges at Basildon Crown Court on December 5, 2024. He was sentenced to 16 years -14 years in prison and a further two years on licence- at the same court on February 21 and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order preventing him from any contact with children and requiring him to inform the police of any future relationships.

Another victim said: “I cannot begin to explain the impact this has had on my life for the last 20 years. I have had feelings of shame around these incidents but did not understand the seriousness of what had happened until I was older.

“I can’t believe people when they pay me compliments – this man did that to me when I was a child and now I suspect any compliment has an ulterior motive. While I feel stronger now I have had to battle with anxiety, depression and panic attacks as a result of this man’s actions.

“I’m incredibly thankful to the police for their work supporting me, listening to me and making sure he was sentenced for what he did. I think about how different my life would be if this had not happened to me, and while that will never change I believe I can only try to live with this man and his action’s behind me.”

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Adam Clarke said: “This was an incredibly difficult case for all involved, and I’d like to thank the two victims that told us what Farrant had done.

“It took a huge amount of bravery to make these reports, but with the support of the victims we were able to build the case against him and leave the jury in no doubt of his guilt. Farrant exploited and abused these children, who have grown into women and who have had to come to terms with the impact this has had on their lives.

“I hope both of them can look at today as testament to the team’s commitment to them and all victims of child sexual abuse, that we will listen to those that come forward and we will investigate them as fully as possible. It doesn’t matter how long ago this abuse may have taken place – we will take these allegations seriously and support you however we can.”


If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.