JUSTICE CATCHES UP
The many faces of Colin Gregg ... head master, charity king, bakery tycoon, paedophile...
MILLIONAIRE Colin Gregg was today starting a 13-and-a-halfyear sentence behind bars for sexually abusing young boys.
A former head teacher, charity fundraiser, social worker and sports coach, he was found guilty of nine counts of indecently assaulting four victims.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Gregg, who helped build up the family business into the high street giant it is today, abused his victims in a swimming pool, in a car and at his home gym.
The former charity boss molested the boys, who were aged between 11 and 14, from the early 1960s until the 1990s.
Gregg, of Homefarm Steading, in Gosforth, Newcastle, stood motionless in the dock as Judge Robin Mairs sentenced him to 13 and a half years in prison.
The 75-year-old will be 82 before he can apply to be released on licence.
People in the packed public gallery wept as the “sophisticated, predatory paedophile” finally faced justice.
Married grandfather Gregg enjoyed great wealth and privilege and used his reputation “as a cloak of respectability” to sexually abuse young boys, the court heard.
It was said the “charismatic and inspiring teacher” used his position to guard himself from allegations.
Gregg tried to paint his victims as fantasists but was told by the judge “the only fantasies were your desires for young boys”.
His contempt for his victims demonstrated Gregg had “not a shred of remorse” for what he had done, he added.
Judge Mairs said: “The damage you caused will last and has lasted much longer than any sentence I can impose on you.
“You were trusted with the care of young boys and abused that repeatedly, in the most horrendous fashion. The impact on them is lifelong.
“You have, as I have said, not a shred of remorse or not a pang of conscience for what you have done.”
Judge Mairs added: “This was sophisticated predatory behaviour. You are a sophisticated predatory paedophile.”
Gregg had forced his victims to endure the torture of facing him in court to give evidence after denying all charges.
During his trial, he claimed he was the victim of a witch-hunt and alleged the complainants were looking for compensation.
But this month the jury at Leeds Crown Court found him guilty of sexually abusing young boys.
As well as 13 and a half years in prison, Gregg has been banned from working with children and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
After the case, an NSPCC spokesman said: “This case gives hope to survivors of child abuse that they will be listened to if they speak out – no matter how much time has passed.
“Gregg’s victims have shown incredible bravery in reliving their ordeals and it’s these actions that have helped bring their attacker to justice.
“During a sickening campaign of abuse, Gregg brazenly exploited positions of absolute trust for his own twisted gratification.
“We hope today’s sentence provides some level of comfort to those whose lives have been so badly affected.”
Anyone with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 8005000.