Thomas Reay, a Newcastle paedophile who deprived two young girls of their childhoods has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, attributed to the courage of his victims.
Thomas Reay perpetrated numerous rapes and sexual assaults on his victims over several years and was held accountable for his egregious actions on Tuesday.
Officers swiftly arrested the 65-year-old Thomas Reay after his victims found the courage to report the offending to a loved one in May of this year.
Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department launched an investigation, and Thomas Reay was subsequently charged with a string of offences and remanded in custody.
Thomas Reay, of Hesleyside Drive, Newcastle, later pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to 16 child sex offences in July.
Thomas Reay appeared before Durham Crown Court on Tuesday, sentenced to 25 years behind bars.
Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Paul Armstrong of Northumbria Police said:
Thomas Reay subjected the victims in this case to horrific ordeals throughout many years, and I am pleased the courts have seen fit to hand him a very lengthy custodial sentence.
Thomas Reay is a vile predator who stripped his victims of their childhood innocence through repeated abuse.
I want to praise the victims for their incredible bravery and courage to come forward because if they had not taken that first step of telling a loved one what had happened, Thomas Reay might not be behind bars today.
No sentence will ever detract from the trauma they suffered, but I hope this lengthy sentence can provide some degree of closure, which will allow them to move forward with their lives.
Protecting the vulnerable and ensuring the most serious offenders like Reay are brought to justice are our top priorities as a Force.
I would urge anyone who has been a victim or wants to share information about an offender to get in touch. We will support you, and we will believe you.
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.