Sexual predator who preyed on young girl is jailed
Last updated 19th Dec 2025
Detectives have praised the bravery of a young girl as the man who sexually abused her is jailed for almost two decades.
Eighty-one-year-old Henry Renton abused his victim in Northumberland, first offering to pay her to engage in sexual acts with him.
He then went on to rape and sexually assault her multiple times.
The girl told a family member what had happened, and police were informed.
Later the same day, Renton was arrested and questioned in connection with the report but denied any wrongdoing.
Following a complex investigation by Northumbria Police force’s Safeguarding Department, in May 2024, Renton, of Abbey Road, Coldstream, was charged with a string of child sexual offences.
In July this year, following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, he was found guilty of eight counts of child sexual abuse.
During the trial, he also pled guilty to a further two counts.
The ten offences comprised of three counts of sexual assault of a child, five counts of sexual activity with a child, and two counts of rape.
Today (Friday), he returned to the same court where he was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment.
Renton - already serving 15 years for multiple child rapes in East Lothian and the Scottish Borders - will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
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Speaking after Renton’s sentencing, the officer who led the case, Detective Constable Dan Anderson said: “Henry Renton is a sexual predator and a paedophile who preyed upon this young victim for his own sexual gratification.
“I welcome this sentence, and I hope it gives some sense of relief and comfort to this brave survivor to know Renton will spend the majority of his remaining years locked up and away from the rest of society.”
He added “I’m extremely appreciative of her courage and her bravery in reporting what had happened to her to police - meaning we were able to immediately safeguard her and then investigate."
To report any other type of recent or non-recent abuse, send the Force a direct message on social media, use the live chat function on the Force website or go to the report pages, also on the website. For those unable to contact police in those ways, call 101.
DC Anderson said: “My advice to anyone out there who has read this and can sadly relate to our survivor’s story of abuse, is to open up to whoever you can if possible, and remember that your local police force is here for you.”
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