Keith Whitfield, 58, the Gateshead Paedophile, subjected his victim to prolonged sexual abuse and rape, commencing during her primary school years.
Keith Whitfield, residing on Huxley Crescent in Gateshead, intimidated his victim into silence for years; however, she courageously reported him in 2020.
In the same year, our Safeguarding section initiated an investigation, resulting in Keith Whitfield being charged with multiple charges, including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency.
He protested his culpability but was adjudicated guilty by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court in December of the previous year.
On Monday, at the same court, a judge listened to a poignant statement delivered by the victim herself.
“You took away my innocence” the statement begins.
“You ruined my childhood and my adult life. You are a monster in disguise, now I hope you sit and think about all of those horrible things you did to me.
“I will pull myself together and hold my head high because I am a good and better person than you could ever be.”
After listening, Keith Whitfield was then sentenced to 17 years behind bars, made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Detective Constable Frank Cox led the investigation.
Praising the victim’s strength, he said: “It takes a lot of courage to come forward and disclose such terrible abuse – to discuss and relive the worst period of your life.
“The victim in this case had felt scared into silence for so many years but enough was enough and now, thanks to her outstanding bravery and determination, a predator is locked up.”
He added: “She did not need to speak aloud in court – this is not a requirement, often someone reads your statement for you, but she very bravely spoke out, held her head high and showed that she will not let Keith Whitfield defeat her.
“I am in awe of her bravery. This sentence won’t extinguish the pain of her past but it has given her some justice.
“I hope that anyone reading this who has suffered in any way similar to her, feels inspired and encouraged to come forward knowing that justice is possible.”
Anyone looking to disclose a report of any kind of sexual abuse can do so by calling our officers on 101 or via our website. For information and support, visit our website.
‘I am a good and better person than you could ever be’ – the resilient message from a rape survivor as she sees her attacker, Keith Whitfield, put behind bars.
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.