Child protection detectives praise victim-survivors as pensioner is jailed for multiple child sex offences.

Specialist child protection officers have paid tribute to two victim-survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

This comes as pensioner Melvyn Paterson (72), who was convicted in August of ten non-recent child sexual offences including rape, was jailed for 19 years.

One child was just 7 years old when the abuse which lasted many years began, and the other was a young teenager.

The offences which took place in the 1980s and 1990s also included sexual touching, touching with penetration and engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Enquiries began after one victim-survivor came forward as an adult in December 2020 and they and their family members were safeguarded whilst extensive and complex enquiries took place by detectives from Cleveland Police’s CAVA Unit (Child Abuse and Vulnerable Adults).

Reacting to Paterson’s sentencing at Teesside Crown Court today, officer in the case Sergeant Natasha Vaughan said: “Firstly I’d like to praise the victim-survivors for coming forward and for completely supporting the police investigation.  This was a very brave thing to do, especially when Paterson continued to deny what he had done.

“Paterson’s refusal to accept responsibility for his actions means they had to relive their trauma and give evidence at court.

“Nevertheless, the jury found him guilty of extremely serious offences and I hope this will help the victim-survivors as they continue to process what happened to them.”

CAVA Detective Chief Inspector Matt Murphy-King added: “My officers worked tirelessly on this complex investigation, and they were determined to achieve justice for the victim-survivors.

“To anyone else who may have experienced similar abuse I’d remind you – it’s never too late to come forward and report to police.  We have specially trained officers who will listen to you and believe you, and we have specialist local partner organisations who are also ready to support you from the moment you contact police.”

You can contact Cleveland Police at any time via the 101 number.