A child rapist from Bishop Auckland has been jailed for 24 years

Alec Calvert was brought to police attention after one of the brave victims disclosed the abuse in March 2024.

 

On the same day she came forward, officers went out and arrested Calvert at his home address.

 

In the victim’s statement, she told officers how Calvert had abused her between the ages of 8 and 14 by sexually touching her on numerous occasions.

 

Another victim came forward the following month and disclosed that he had also been sexually touched and raped and that Calvert had also taken photos of him when he was naked.

 

Officers carried out a search of Calvert’s address and seized several electronic devices.

 

They were analysed by specialist officers from Durham Constabulary’s Digital Intelligence and Investigation Team who found a number of indecent images of children on his mobile phone.

 

Calvert was interviewed and bailed with strict conditions not to communicate with a child.

 

While the investigation was underway, Calvert disregarded these conditions and was found nearly naked in his car with a child, parked in a disused docks area.

 

Calvert was brought into custody and charged with several offences including rape, assault on a child by touching, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, engaging in sexual communication with a child, making indecent photographs of a child and possession of extreme pornography.

 

Calvert disputed the charges but in January, unanimous guilty verdicts were returned on all 11 counts by the jury.

 

The 77-year-old appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday morning for sentencing and was jailed for 24 years.

 

Calvert will also be subject to registration as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

 

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was passed, “without limit of time”, prohibiting him from ever contacting or approaching anyone aged under 18, while also imposing significant restrictions on any future use of the internet.

 

Restraining orders also forbid him from ever attempting to contact or approach any of his three victims.

 

Safeguarding Detective Gary Tinker said: “Calvert is a controlling and dangerous serial sex offender who poses a high risk to children.”

 

“Calvert showed no remorse and continued to offend whilst already under investigation for similar offences.

 

“I would like to praise the victims involved in this case whose courage has led to a positive conviction and sentencing. Hopefully, they can now close this horrific chapter, and they can begin to move on with their lives.

 

“I would also like to thank the support agencies involved and the Crown Prosecution Services for fantastic multiagency working, all to protect vulnerable victims.”