Paedophile is jailed after brave victim speaks out

A brave youngster hopes she has helped others by reporting the paedophile who targeted her.

- by Karon Kelly

The teen, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was initially scared to reveal what John Briggs did to her when she was younger, but now feels a "weight has been lifted" after she was believed.

Briggs, 60, of Houghton, Sunderland, denied sexual assault charges on a child but was convicted by a jury after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

At his sentence hearing on August 7, a statement prepared by the teenager was read in court.