Pair who raped and sexually abused children jailed for almost 30 years

Image: Anthony Douglas

“Speak to police – you will be believed, and it will be investigated. It doesn’t matter if it was four years or 40 years ago, just say something and get the justice you deserve.”

These are the words of a rape survivor who this week saw her abusers jailed for almost 30 years.

The woman was in primary school in the 1980s when she was raped and sexually assaulted by Neil Willis and Anthony Douglas.

The pair also sexually abused a boy, while Willis also assaulted two other young children.

The two rapists were living in Peterlee, County Durham, at the time of the abuse, with Willis, formerly known as Neil Blenkinsop, aged between 14 and 17, and Douglas aged 19 to 20.

Their offending came to light when one of the boys – who is now an adult – told police what happened to him in 2019.

An investigation was launched by Durham Constabulary, which led to three further survivors coming forward and disclosing that they too had been abused, and the pair were charged with a multitude of sexual offences.

Willis, aged 57, admitted some charges and was found guilty of others, including rape, indecent assault, buggery, and gross indecency with a child following a two-and-a-half-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this year.

Douglas denied all offences, but the 58-year-old was found guilty of several counts of rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency with a child.

The pair appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday (July 14) for sentencing; Willis, of Ealing, in London, was jailed for 13 years, while Douglas, of Hartlepool, was jailed for 16 years with a one-year extended licence.

They were also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a powerful victim impact statement that was read out in court, one of the survivors said the pair had destroyed her life.

“No child should ever have to live through what they did to us. You shouldn’t have to live with this for 40 years before you have the strength to talk about it,” she said. 

“I would never have ever told anyone; I only came out with what happened to me because another survivor had the strength to tell the police what happened to him.

“When I got the phone call telling me they had been found guilty, I just remember thinking: “They believe us.” They listened to us, and they believed us.

“I wish that no one has to go through what we’ve gone through. I hope Tony and Neil now feel as scared as we were every day.”

She added: “I am massively grateful to the police for all of the work that’s gone into this case to get it to court – I can’t thank them enough.

“If there’s anyone in the position that we were in, I would tell them to go forward, say something to someone. See if you can find support and pluck up the courage.

“It is hard but it’s worth it. We’ve proved that you can get justice and if there’s anyone in that situation, just know you aren’t on your own – you never were and never will be.”

To report a rape or sexual assault, call Durham Constabulary on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

If you’re more comfortable reporting online, you can visit our online reporting page here www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

If you’re not ready to speak to police, there are other agencies who can help:

• The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Call 0330 223 0099 or visit www.sarcdurham.co.uk
• The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is available 24/7 and provides support for anyone who has been affected by rape or sexual assault. Call 0808 500 2222 or visit www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
• The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) offers free, specialist support to anyone who has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. Call 01325 354119, email [email protected] or visit www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk