Newcastle man sentenced following non-recent sexual offences

A 68-year-old man has been sentenced following non-recent sexual offences.

John Charles Saunders, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on December 3 and given a 13-year custodial sentence. Saunders will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He was found guilty by a jury at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on October 29 of two counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years and one count of sexual assault on a girl under 13 by penetration.

His offences occurred between March 1994 and September 2018.

DC Gary Cliffe of Staffordshire Police, said: “I am delighted with the sentence handed to Saunders and we hope this sentence is a reminder that we will continue to do whatever it takes to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice – no matter how long ago these attacks took place."

Anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, or suspects others may be subject to sexual abuse, is urged to contact Staffordshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through www.crimestoppers-uk.org.