Twisted Leeds DJ paedophile and sister handed new sentences for systematic abuse of 12 new victims
A brother and sister who systematically abused young girls they groomed at children’s discos have had their sentences extended after being described as “predators of the worst kind”.
Darren Gibson worked as a DJ from which he and Rebecca Kirton would gain the trust of youngsters before inviting them back to their Leeds home.
One victim said they “took their pick” of children to abuse.
Already serving lengthy prison sentences, they were given additional sentences of 20 years between them.
Gibson was jailed for 24 years and Rebecca Kirton for 12 years in October 2024 after being convicted of sex offences against teenage female victims more than 20 years ago.
Following the publicity of their convictions, 12 more victims came forward who had been abused by the pair between 1997 and 2005.
Appearing at Leeds Crown Court today, Gibson admitted nine new offences of rape, one of attempted rape, 26 counts of indecent assault, four counts of gross indecency, two of engaging in sexual activity with a girl and two counts of assault by touching of a girl.
His adopted sister, Kirton, refused to attend today’s court hearing, but had already admitted two new counts of raping girls, one of attempted rape, seven counts of indecent assault, three counts of engaging in sexual activity and one count of assault by touching.
The victims’ ages ranged from nine up to mid teens.
The court was told that the “modus operandi” involved 41-year-old Kirton befriending the children, often at discos, and invite them to the house she shared with 56-year-old Gibson.
Gibson would also “laugh and joke” with the youngsters at the events, inviting them into the DJ booth area.
One victim even said that Gibson was seen as a “cool person that all the kids wanted to hang out with”, prosecutor Christopher Dunn told the court.
They were often plied with alcohol, and one even said half an ecstasy tablet was dropped into her drink.
A series of victim impact statements were read to the court in which one victim said they were “predators of the worst kind”, with many saying the sickening abuse had ruined their lives.
Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told the defendants: “You were able to charm, or should I say manipulate them, to win over their trust, so much so that the abuse in some cases went on for a lengthy period of time.
“You knew from your experience that children of that age would not have had the confidence or courage to speak out.
“You picked your victims it seems quite shrewdly.
“It’s unlikely they will ever forget what they had to go through.”
Gibson, formerly of Holdforth Close, New Wortley, was sentenced to another 12 years to run consecutively to his previous 24-year sentence.
Judge Khokhar told him: “It’s rare to come across such a prolific offender as you.”
Kirton, formerly of the same address, was sentenced to seven years and six months to run consecutively to her previous 12-year sentence.
She was also given another six months for refusing to turn up for court, making a total of eight years overall.
Judge Khokhar said she was “very much under the influence” of Gibson and “acted as a facilitator”.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Richard Ord from West Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Review Team, said: “Following their original sentencing in October 2024, a number of further victims came forward to report that they too had been subjected to sexual offences at the hands of either Gibson, Kirton or both.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank these victims for coming forward - they have shown tremendous dignity and courage in doing so and I hope that the additional sentences handed down today can provide some comfort as they begin to move on with their lives.
“I am pleased that once again justice has been served and that both Gibson and Kirton will remain behind bars for a considerable amount of time.
“I hope too that the nature of this investigation demonstrates that it is never too late to report sexual offending. We have dedicated teams across West Yorkshire Police who will listen to you when you are ready to talk to us – and you will be dealt with dignity, respect and compassion.”