Northern Ireland

Co Down couple jailed for 'depraved' and 'disgusting' child abuse

Gary and Heather Talbot
Gary and Heather Talbot Gary and Heather Talbot

A CO Down couple convicted of a range of child sexual offences have been jailed for a total of 24 years.

Former school bus driver and postman Gary Talbot (60) from Newcastle, was sentenced to 15 years for crimes including two rapes, gross indecency and indecent assault.

His wife Heather (59), a former school cleaner, was given a nine-year sentence including aiding and abetting her husband to rape a child.

Judge Piers Grant told the couple the "depraved" and "disgusting" offences they carried showed "obvious wickedness and wrongdoing".

The judge said their actions "will provoke a sense of disgust and even disbelief that anyone could act in this way, particularly towards a child of such tender years."

Gary Talbot, who took the blame for introducing "children to his and Heather's sexual relationship", will serve seven-and-a-half years in prison, followed by the same period on licence when he is released from jail.

He also abused the victim when she was aged 13 or 14.

His wife, who at one stage said it was "just a fantasy we carried too far" before claiming it was all to do with her husband and she only "played along", was jailed for six years with a further three years to be spent on supervised licence.

For 15 years the abuse, internet chats and boasts to other paedophiles remained a secret until October 2017 when police seized their computer equipment, along with a hard-drive from a locked cupboard, opened by a key hidden within the pages of the novel 'Lolita', on their bedside table.

In May last year, the couple admitted the abuse, carried out over a three year period from 2001 to 2003 against the child then aged between 18 months and three years and three months.

During yesterday's sentencing, Judge Grant said that after reading a Victim Impact Report, it was obvious the abuse has had an impact on the now 20-year-old.

He said the woman revealed she doesn't really trust men, feels uncomfortable when she sees men with gelled back hair, suffers from sleep disturbances and has problems concentrating on her college work.

In a statement the woman read after the case the woman said: "I am glad that my abusers have finally faced justice and will have to serve time in prison for what they did to me.

"I was only a child when they took my innocence away. The abuse left me traumatised and upset as they betrayed my trust in the most despicable way. The trauma caused me to lose all my childhood memories and develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

"The past year has been very difficult for me, my family and friends. I would like to thank them for being there for me, not only for every court hearing but for supporting me day to day as I have struggled to come to terms with my abuse.

"I would also like to thank the police detective who investigated my case. She has been thorough and dedicated whilst at the same time being compassionate, caring and kind to me.

"I'm hoping to become a counsellor, as counselling has been essential in my recovery and thank you to my counsellor as you have inspired me to help others overcome traumatic experiences.

"I would really like to thank and commend all survivors of sexual abuse for your amazing strength as it has helped me to fight to get my justice.

"Together we will send a message across the world that there is no shame in being a survivor of sexual abuse - the shame is on the abuser."

Detective Chief  Inspector Claire McGuigan talks t the media following the sentencing of Gary and Heather Talbot  at Laganside Court Picture by Hugh Russell.
Detective Chief Inspector Claire McGuigan talks t the media following the sentencing of Gary and Heather Talbot at Laganside Court Picture by Hugh Russell. Detective Chief Inspector Claire McGuigan talks t the media following the sentencing of Gary and Heather Talbot at Laganside Court Picture by Hugh Russell.

Also welcoming yesterday's sentence was Detective Chief Inspector Claire McGuigan, who described the case as "disturbing and harrowing".

Joseph Murphy from the Public Prosecution Service paid tribute to the bravery shown by the victim and said the department's serious crime unit worked closely with the PSNI to build a "robust prosecution case."

"The positive outcome in this case was achieved through collaborative working with the PSNI.

"I want to commend the bravery shown by the victim, who is now an adult, and her family throughout the criminal justice process."