Sexual abuser financially manipulated victims

A sex offender who police said tried to "financially and emotionally manipulate" his victims has been jailed for 25 years.

Stephen Gallagher, of Normandy Avenue in Colchester, was found guilty by jurors of 10 sexual offences including rape.

The 59-year-old was also served with an indefinite restraining order against his victims.

Detectives said they launched an investigation in 2016 after a woman claimed he abused her multiple times when she was a child.

Essex Police said more victims contacted the force saying they were abused by Gallagher.

"These victims have waited eight years since reporting to get justice and hold Gallagher accountable," said Det Sgt Carol Astbury.

He denied all the allegations against him but was found guilty in May.

Gallagher was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday.

Police said the trial was postponed twice and sentencing was adjourned three times.

He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault of a child aged under 13, three counts of rape of a child aged under 13, two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault.

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