Newcastle Crown Court (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

A man who sexually abused two children when he was a schoolboy has been jailed. Philip Coats was convicted of offences including rape after a trial.

The now-28-year-old threatened one victim that he would push them down some stairs if they didn't do what he wanted and used his greater strength to overpower them. Newcastle Crown Court heard the other victim was told by Coats that the victim's mother wouldn't love them anymore if they reported the abuse.

Coats, of Ingham Grange, South Shields , who continues to deny the offences, was found guilty of two counts of rape and two of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Now he has been jailed for seven years, a sentence which was reduced by around two-thirds due to t

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