Police warn sex offenders there's 'no time limit on justice' as South Shields pervert is jailed
Victims of sexual offences can report the crime, no matter how long ago it happened.
Police have reassured victims of sexual offences “there is no time limit on justice” after a South Shields man was jailed for historic crimes.
A judge at Newcastle Crown Court jailed Philip Watson, 60, of Beach Road, South Shields for seven years after he was found guilty of all four offences he was accused of.
Watson sexually assaulted three schoolboys on separate occasions across the 1990s. The abuse was committed in the Sunderland and Northumberland when Watson was employed as a teaching assistant.
Watson was previously jailed for six years in 2017 after committing a string of child sex offences against three other boys, linked to the same job.
Northumbria Police have told the public that anyone who is the victim of a sexual offence should report it to them – no matter how long ago it happened.
Speaking after Watson’s sentencing, PC Colin Ramshaw, who led the investigation, said: “The effects of Philip Watson’s offending have proven to have lasted a lifetime for the victim-survivors he abused.
“Even though these offences occurred decades ago, it’s clear the damage he has caused has not diminished with time.
“Watson has consistently refused to take accountability to what he did to these boys -now men - and I am pleased that they’ve been able to hold their abuser to account after all this time.”
PC Ramshaw added: “I hope this case acts as a reminder to those who think they can rest easy because the offences happened years ago – we will find you and we will put you before the courts.
“To victim-survivors who are unsure about coming forward, I want to assure you that there is no time limit on justice.
“Whether the offences happened days, weeks, months, years or even decades ago, please tell us – we’re here for you.”
Anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse, whether recent or not, should contact police using the ‘Report’ pages on the Northumbria Police website, or send the force a direct message on social media.
Anyone unable to report this way should call 101. In an emergency, or if a crime is ongoing, always call 999.
To report a crime anonymously, contact independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website.