The former leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council was convicted of two indecent assaults against one teenager, one serious sexual offence, two counts of rape and one of indecent assault against a second youngster, and two counts of indecent assault against a third boy. All the offences took place between 1988 and 1996.

The jury had earlier been directed to deliver a not guilty verdict on one charge of indecent assault on the first boy.

During the three-week trial, the court heard that Locklin, a house parent at Aycliffe Young People's Centre, had breached his position of trust and abused one teenage resident there, visiting him in his room at night on more than 30 occasions.

A second boy was systematically raped and sexually abused at weekends in Locklin's home for more than two years, while his partner Denise Anderson and stepsons slept upstairs, the jury heard.

All three members of the family told the court it was "not possible" for the attacks to have happened, and said Locklin was a good father.

The third boy said he, too, had been sexually abused in Locklin's home over a two-month period. All three said they had been plied with drink and cannabis and were given gifts such as tobacco, clothes and cash to buy their silence.

Judge Peter Fox QC described the abuse as "appalling" and said "This reflects a gross breach of trust on your part in respect of young boys in their mid-teens, two of whom you owed a particular duty of trust."

The judge said Locklin had groomed and seduced the boys and added "The damage, and over such a prolonged period in such a devastating way can hardly be estimated."

Locklin was sentenced to ten years concurrent for the assault of the first two boys and five years consecutive for the repeated abuse of the third.

The judge placed Locklin on the sex offenders register for life and said "You will be watched for the remainder of your days. You need to be."

John Burton, Tony Blair's agent, said Martyn Locklin had been a hard working councillor. He added "Obviously our sympathies at this time have got to be with the families and with the victims themselves."

Bob Fleming, leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council, said "He's been found guilty of horrendous crimes and as a result of that he deserves to go to prison for a long time."
"This will come as a shock to many people because he had many friends who stood by him through thick and thin."

After the court case detectives said they believed there could be more victims of Locklin who were "too ashamed or frightened" to come forward.

Locklin, Labour Councillor for Newton Aycliffe was charged with sexually abusing three 14-year-old boys.

Martyn Locklin, a former North-East aide of Prime Minister Tony Blair was jailed for 15 years for an "appalling" string of sex offences against teenage boys.

Martyn Locklin was given 15 years by a judge at Teesside Crown Court after he was convicted of a string of sex offences. Following a challenge at the Court of Appeal, his sentence has been reduced to 12 years, it has been confirmed.

Locklin, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, a senior Labour Party activist who often accompanied Prime Minister Tony Blair on visits to the region, had also appealed against his conviction, but this was thrown out by judges sitting at the Court of Appeal.

Locklin was a former house parent at Aycliffe Young People's Centre, on the outskirts of Newton Aycliffe.

He was found guilty in a trial last year of eight offences against young children, including rape and indecent assault said to have been committed between 1988 and 1996.

The decision to cut Locklin's sentence was condemned last night by groups working with victims of child abuse.

Meg Colpitts, who set up Newcastle-based Just Kidz to provide emotional and practical support for families with abused children, said it sent out the wrong signal.

She said: "This man worked with children and abused their trust." adding "Fifteen years should mean 15 years and he should serve his sentence."

Since his conviction, Locklin has lost his seats on Sedgefield Borough Council and Great Aycliffe Town Council. He maintains his innocence and has been backed by campaign group Action Against False Allegations of Abuse.

A spokesman for Durham Police said they had not been present at the appeal hearing, but understood that a number of legal arguments had been involved.

The spokesman said they welcomed the dismissal of appeal against conviction in what was a "very difficult and complicated case" which had been thoroughly investigated.

The force could not yet comment on Locklin's reduced sentence because police were waiting to hear the reasoning behind the decision from the court.
Outcome:

At Teesside Crown Court Locklyn was given a 12 year prison sentence for his "appalling" string of 8 counts of Rape and Sexual Assault on the 3 young boys.