Newcastle Pensioner Jailed For Assaulting Boys

A man who groomed and sexually assaulted boys in Newcastle has been jailed.

69 year old Francis Rogers of Westgate Road in Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday for sentence. He was previously found guilty of nine charges following a trial, including sexual assault, buggery, attempted buggery and inciting a child to engage in a sexual act.

He was jailed for 12 years. The sentence follows a lengthy investigation by specialist officers from Northumbria Police's Public Protection Unit at Newcastle Area Command.

It stemmed from a report in October 2010 from the family of a boy who was known to have visited Rogers. Further enquiries and the recovery of diaries from his home address revealed Rogers was responsible for the grooming and abuse of young boys aged between 11 and 15 years old, dating back to the late 1980s.

The charges relate to five victims - two still boys and three now adults - who were brave enough to go through the court process to see Rogers sent to jail.

DCI George Duff, Newcastle Area Command, said: "Rogers carried out atrocious crimes on young boys dating back to the 1980s and I'm pleased he's now behind bars where he belongs".

"I'd like to thank the courage of the victims for going through what must have been an extremely difficult time to ensure Rogers was jailed.

"I hope the fact he has been brought to justice for his sickening crimes gives some closure to them and enables them to move forward with their lives."