Gateshead teen jailed for rape
A man is today behind bars after raping a 25 year-old woman in Exhibition Park and sexually assaulting a 53-year-old woman in Gosforth earlier this year Bobby Joe Barclay, 18, of Edgeware Road, Gateshead has been sentenced to 13 years 3 months, in total made up of seven years three months in jail with a further six years on extended licence after the attacks in June. Barclay was arrested and charged with rape and was also charged with two counts of robbery and sexual assault after attacking another victim in Gosforth on the same night. Acting Detective Sergeant Dave Croskery, who works on the specialist team for protecting vulnerable people, welcomed the sentenced at court today and praised the team for catching this offender. A/DS Croskery said:
"Stranger attacks like this are not common here in Northumbria and just shows Barclay as the utterly abhorrent offender he is. He has prayed on these two women and committed these dreadful attacks. Officers arrested and charged Barclay, and although he pleaded guilty, he showed no remorse for his actions. I hope this reassures people that this dangerous man is off our streets. I also hope it reaffirms the important message that we will put offenders before the courts. These women have been incredibly brave and I want to commend them for their strength throughout this investigation and we will continue to support them with their aftercare." The victims wished to remain anonymous but police have released this statement on their behalf. Statement from victims "Today has been just one of the many difficult days we have had to suffer since the June. To see this man put behind bars gives us some solace but it won't ever take away the trauma we and our families have suffered. The police and other agencies have been a huge support to us and it has helped us through the investigation to know this help is available. You never think something like this will happen to you so don't realise how important these support networks are until you have been a victim. And for their support we are hugely grateful. We now need to try and move on with our lives and put this hideous ordeal behind us."