Paedophile lured girl to his room with video games

A paedophile who used video games to trick a child into his bedroom during the 90s has been jailed.

Ian Mark Wrightson, 54, who now lives in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, sexually assaulted the primary school pupil multiple times between 1990 and 1992, while he was living in York.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Wrightson would entice her to his room on the pretence of playing video games and before every game, he would abuse her for his own sexual gratification.

He admitted three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and two counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14 at a hearing last week, and was jailed for three years and four months.

Wrightson originally pleaded not guilty to the five offences but changed his plea to guilty on 5 August.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and barred from working with children.

A victim statement read: "If my story can help someone in need, I would be so grateful that I had helped in a very small way by putting it out there and possibly giving them the strength to believe they can come forward themselves.

"I hope it will help people like me who have been so scared to come out and say something - whether it's historic or current to speak up."

Det Con Helen Hewitt, from North Yorkshire Police, said: "Wrightson's cowardice in denying the offences he committed until just before the trial, forced the victim to endure the build up to the trial, reliving the horrific abuse she suffered.

"His guilty plea is a testament to the strength and courage shown by the victim and I hope the sentence passed will provide other victims of abuse the courage and confidence to come forward."

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