Barry Houston

Barry Houston, now 63 years old and residing in Hebburn, was jailed for historical sexual offences committed against a school-aged boy in South Tyneside nearly five decades ago. The victim, who had endured the trauma for most of his life, courageously came forward in 2023 after unexpectedly encountering his abuser in public, prompting him to report the assaults to Northumbria Police.

Houston, who was a teenager at the time of the offences, repeatedly sexually assaulted the boy at an address in South Tyneside. The crimes included four counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14 and two counts of buggery of a boy under 16, offences that predated the Sexual Offences Act 2003. When interviewed by officers, Houston denied the allegations. However, following a three-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court in April 2025, a jury found him guilty on all six counts.

On 7 July 2025, Houston returned to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing, where he was imprisoned for six years and six months. Upon release, he will serve an additional one year on extended licence. Furthermore, Houston was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and received a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order to protect the public from further harm.

The victim expressed profound relief after the verdict, stating: “When Barry was found guilty, I felt relief that was all over. I was so pleased the jury believed me and that I had a chance to be heard. I was so emotional, this has been with me and affected me for a very long time. After Barry abused me, I remember finding it hard to trust people. I knew it wasn’t right what he did to me, but I was just too scared. I am glad that I have finally got justice after more than four decades and for all the difficulties, I am glad I went through it.”

Detective Constable Alastair Stewart, from Northumbria Police’s Rape Investigation Team, led the investigation and commended the victim’s bravery: “I can’t begin to imagine what the victim has been through in keeping these crimes to himself for more than 40 years. I’m so grateful he bravely decided to disclose the abuse to us, which allowed us to take action and put his abuser before the courts.” The case, reported via Northumbria Police's official news release, underscores the commitment to pursuing justice for non-recent sexual offences.