Former DJ and adopted sister jailed for abuse of children in Leeds

The pair will spend 36 years in prison between them

Darren Gibson (l) and Rebecca Kirton (r)
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 22nd Oct 2024

A former DJ has been jailed alongside his adopted sister for the sexual abuse of children in Leeds.

54 year old Darren Gibson. of Holdforth Close, was convicted of a total of 19 offences at Leeds Crown Court in December.

This included six counts of indecent assault, five counts of rape, five of assault by penetration, two of causing or inciting a child into sexual activity and one of sexual assault.

He will serve 24 years behind bars.

39 year old Rebecca Kirton, of the same address, will serve 12 years after being convicted of two counts of assault by penetration, one of rape and one of causing or inciting a child into sexual activity.

Gibson took advantage of his work as a DJ to abuse his victims in Leeds between 2002 and 2008.

He raped two teenagers in 2004, after the victims attended discos in the city.

He plied one with drink with the assistance of adopted sister Kirton, who he was also in a relationship with.

The second victim was assaulted at an event, while the third victim was groomed over a longer period of time.

Both Kirton and Gibson will be on the sex offenders' register for life and were handed lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Stephen King, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victims in this case for their courage and bravery in coming forward."

"They have had to wait a long time to see justice finally being done and I hope today’s outcome will bring some comfort to them.

“I’m pleased that in handing down these sentences, the court has recognised the gravity of Gibson and Kirton’s offending.

"They are calculated sexual predators who carried out serious harm to young girls over a significant period of time.

“West Yorkshire Police has experience in investigating recent and non-recent sexual offences, we have dedicated teams across the Force who are committed to investigating these offences and I would urge anyone who has been a victim of this kind of offending to come forward and report it to us.”

“You will be believed, you will be safeguarded and it will be investigated.”

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