Latest Offenders Durham

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Harrison Strange jailed for 13 years after raping three teenage girls

Harrison Strange, 21, of Snowdrop Close, Spennymoor, has been jailed for 13 years after raping three vulnerable teenage girls, two of them while he was on bail.

Strange was a teenager when he carried out the offences. Teesside Crown Court heard he targeted the girls when they were heavily intoxicated. He is a father of one.

Prosecutor Annie Richardson said the first victim was attacked in a field in County Durham after drinking heavily with friends. She told a friend what had happened and that recording was played to the jury. Strange was arrested but denied rape, claiming the contact was consensual.

He was interviewed again shortly before committing the next two rapes, weeks apart.

The second victim went to Strange’s home believing there was a party. The court heard he plied her with alcohol and raped her in his bedroom while her friend slept on the floor.

The third attack was at a campsite in North Yorkshire. Strange raped and sexually assaulted a teenage girl who had been drinking while her friend slept in the same tent. He also sent the youngest victim a picture of a penis.

Strange was convicted in separate trials of raping all three girls, and of assault by penetration and engaging in sexual activity with a child against one of them.

Defence barrister Peter Sabiston told the judge Strange was himself a teenager at the time of the offences.

Sentencing him to 13 years for the three rapes, Judge Richard Bennett said:

“The impact on each of these girls has been significant. Your pre-sentence report makes troubling reading.

“The complete denial of offences is not unusual for someone who has been convicted of sexual offences. In your case, you go on to victim blame – suggesting one had made a false complaint and the two others were motivated by financial gain.

“I reject all of that completely, as did the jury.

“I am satisfied there is clear evidence of sexual entitlement and misogyny. Your offending was persistent, not isolated.

“It was exploitative and the presence of others did not act as a deterrent to you.”

Strange must sign the sex offenders’ register for life. He was also given indefinite restraining orders and a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.

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Robert Ashcroft, of no fixed address, groomed the child from December 2025.

The 41-year-old targeted and sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions up until February 2026 when she found the courage to disclose what he had done.

After it was reported to police, he was arrested and questioned in custody before being charged with six counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He was also charged with a separate attempted burglary offence.

Ashcroft initially denied the offences against him until after the child had given evidence in court. He then changed his plea to guilty.

On Friday 4 September Ashcroft appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced to 10 years and five months imprisonment. He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

During the trial, the court heard how Ashcroft was caught by the occupant who watched him via doorbell footage trying to break in.

He was arrested nearby on the day it occurred on Monday 7 July 2025.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Emily Thompson, from Cleveland Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, said:

“Ashcroft exploited and abused the young child and refused to accept responsibility for his heinous actions. It was only until a week before the trial after putting the child through unparallelled stress and trauma that he admitted to what he had done.

“I want to commend her for the courage and strength shown throughout the investigation. The resilience she has demonstrated throughout has been remarkable for such a young person and I sincerely hope she is proud of herself for that.

“While no sentence can undo the harm and trauma caused, I believe the length of this sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences. I hope it provides the child and the family a sense of justice and enables her to move forward with her life.

“Finally, I want to remind anyone else who is suffering abuse of any kind that help is available and I urge and encourage you to come forward. We have specially trained officers who will listen to you, who will believe you and who will support you - frequently supplemented by help from our expert local agencies."

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Kenneth Barnes jailed after further child image offences

A County Durham man given a suspended sentence last November for possessing indecent images of children has been jailed after committing further similar offences while being managed in the community.

Kenneth Barnes, 50, of Charles Street, Easington Colliery, was sentenced at Durham Crown Court to 15 months in prison. That total includes six months activated from a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, imposed in November after he admitted possessing indecent images of children in all three categories of severity. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and sex offender registration, both for 10 years.

Prosecutor Ralf Xhepa said Barnes was being managed by police and the Probation Service as “a high-risk offender.” On 17 February his risk manager and a digital officer attended his home and seized his mobile phone. Examination found he had downloaded further indecent images of children.

He was arrested on 17 April. In interview he only accepted that the phone was his. Mr Xhepa said that between the November conviction and the February seizure Barnes downloaded a further 80 indecent images, including 13 in the most serious category.

After initial denials, Barnes admitted three further counts of making indecent images of children in late July.

Chris Morrison, defending, said Barnes had completed an overnight home curfew and 10 rehabilitation activity sessions under the November sentence. The phone seized in the earlier investigation had later been returned to him. “He continued to use it, something he’s very remorseful about and, when it was explained to me, the return of the device was, perhaps, ill-advised.”

Mr Morrison said Barnes had struggled with his circumstances and lived “a very solitary and isolated life in Easington.” He added that Barnes had found it difficult on remand since April.

Recorder Mark McKone imposed the 15-month sentence and warned that any further similar offending could lead to an extended prison term. Barnes remains subject to the SHPO and notification requirements imposed in November.

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A man who arranged to meet a child for sex has been jailed – after he was caught by officers online.

David Horne, 57, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after he arranged to meet a 14-year-old girl he had been speaking to online.

However, he was actually speaking to an officer from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) conducting an investigation alongside the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) with the support of Durham Constabulary.

Following his arrest on March 9, he was subsequently charged with a number of sexual offences including, attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempt to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity, attempt to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

On Wednesday (August 19) he appeared at Teesside Crown Court for sentencing having pleaded guilty to all charges on May 21.

Horne was sentenced to a total of nine years imprisonment.

Speaking after the sentencing, NEROCU Detective Constable Georgina Lewis, said:

“This has been a complex investigation which has thankfully helped secured a great outcome at court.

“Horne is behind bars for a substantial amount of time where he will no longer be a danger to children.
“I want to thank our partners in ERSOU and Durham Constabulary who supported us in this investigation – another strong display of the power of partnership working.

“Under Operational Sentinel, we will continue to work with our partners to tackle online child abuse and sexual exploitation and would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to police.”

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A violent abuser who strangled a woman to the point of passing out has been jailed.

Stuart Benton left the woman fearing like she was going to die, and when she tried to ring 999, he grabbed her phone and smashed it.

In another incident, the 27-year-old pinned the woman down and stripped her clothes off before kicking and stamping on her.

Benton, of Peterlee, was arrested by police after the woman told her mother what had happened.

He was charged with controlling and coercive behaviour, two counts of sexual assault, and intentional strangulation.

Benton initially pleaded not guilty to the offences, but changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to start.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday (August 11) where he was jailed for six years and three months.

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the woman.

A spokesman from Peterlee CID, who led the investigation, said:

“Benton is a violent and dangerous individual, who put the woman through unimaginable suffering and pain.

“We’d like to commend her for the strength she has shown throughout the investigation and subsequent court process.

“By standing up to Benton and having her voice heard, she has helped to take a dangerous man off the streets, who poses a clear risk to women and girls.”

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A brave survivor has spoken of the impact the night she was raped has had on her life as her rapist is handed an eight-year jail sentence. 

In a victim impact statement read in court, the survivor said:

"I will never forget the fear that I felt when this man took me to his house. I had no idea who he was. I had no idea where I was. I genuinely questioned if I would leave this place with my life.  

"There were so many thoughts running through my mind when I arrived at his house however, this man tried to reassure me and tell me that I was going to be safe and my boyfriend was coming. This was all a sick lie. 

"I don’t remember much of what happened in the room. I don’t want to remember. I do, however, remember how I felt. I remember not being able to move my body because I was so frozen with fear. I remember thinking “I am going to die”. I was thinking about my Children and how they would be able to live without a Mum. I just wanted it all to be over. 

"The next thing I remember is the police entering the room and I have never felt relief like it. I knew I was going to live. This was not the end of what happened to me. I feel like this was only the beginning."

In the early hours of 22 December 2025, the survivor walked through Piccadilly Gardens on her way to get a taxi home after a night out with a friend, while on the phone to her boyfriend. 

She realised she was being followed by two men and told her boyfriend; one of the men was Mohammed Al Masri. 

Al Masri approached the survivor and began to compliment her and wouldn't leave her alone. As she became upset, he falsely tried to provide her with some sense of compassion and offered to help her get a taxi home. 

The two men got in the taxi with her, and feeling unsafe, the survivor shared her location with her boyfriend who notified the police. 

Al Masri did not take her home; instead, he took her into his home in Abbey Hey, Manchester, where he raped her. Officers quickly arrived at the address and arrested him at the scene. The survivor was supported by specialist officers and an investigation commenced. Al Masri was found guilty following a trial in June 2026. 

On Friday 7 August 2026 at Minshull St Crown Court, Mohammed Al Masri (12/04/2001) of Gordon Street, Abbey Hey, was sentenced to eight years in prison after he was found guilty of rape. He was given a restraining order and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years. 

The survivor continued:

"After it all happened, I felt like I was a zombie. I could not speak to anybody. I was numb. I was emotionless. I felt nothing. I couldn’t interact with my children and felt like I was unable to be a real mum. 

"I couldn’t leave the house. I was terrified. I did not trust anybody and couldn’t interact with anybody. I feel like I put myself in self-isolation. I was trying to process what happened but all I could think about was what this man has done to me.  

"I could not even rest in my own home due to the constant unsettling feeling of fear and anxiety running through me. It was constant. 

"People ask me if I’m okay and I say yes. In reality, I’m not. I am the one who has to deal with this and try and move on. I will never be able to forget what this man did to me. This man has changed me. When I met up with my friend on 21st December, I was a different person then, to who I am now.” 

"I will never be that person again because of what this man has done," she added.

Detective Constable Oliver Smith said:

"I'd like to thank the brave survivor for her courage and support throughout the process of this investigation. 

"I hope the sentencing of this vile sexual predator offers her a sense of solace while she looks to move on and rebuild her life. 

"I urge anyone who might have experienced rape or sexual assault to please come forward and report it. You will always be listened to and supported."

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A carer who groomed a vulnerable woman with dementia before forcing himself on her has been jailed.

Darren Williams was working as the woman’s in-home carer when he began sending her inappropriate text messages and buying gifts for her.

The 45-year-old then forced himself on the woman, who is in her sixties and living with mixed dementia, and made her have sex with him.

His offending came to light when the woman told her family what had happened and police were informed.

Williams was arrested by police, which led to his dismissal from the private care company.  

He was later charged with sexual activity by a care worker with a person suffering a mental disorder, which he admitted at a court hearing in February.

Williams, of Oakenshaw, near Crook, appeared back at Durham Crown Court on Friday (July 31) where he was jailed for 30 months.

In a victim impact statement, the woman’s son described the effect Williams’ offending had on his mother.

“He was not just a stranger. He was a professional with a duty of care,” he said. “His job was to be part of Susan’s daily life, to her sense of safety and to her social and emotional wellbeing. For someone living with dementia, this relationship was meant to be the support system around a life that is becoming harder to hold together. He destroyed that.

“Since the assault, Susan began to withdraw much more profoundly. The moments of clarity, of connection with her family sharply diminishing. The person who was meant to be her support became, in the cruellest way possible, a source of fear and confusion she cannot fully articulate or process.

“Her family believes, with good reason, that this assault has accelerated the progression of her disease. The psychological trauma inflicted on a person with dementia does not stay still. It compounds. What was taken from Susan was not only her dignity and her safety – it was time. Time with her family, time as herself.

“She deserved safety. She deserved dignity. She deserved to spend whatever time remains to her feeling protected and loved. That was taken from her by someone who knew exactly what he was doing, and chose to do it anyway.”

Detective Constable Graeme Whitfield, from Durham Constabulary’s West Safeguarding Team, led the investigation.

He said:

“Williams’ actions represented an appalling abuse of trust. He exploited his position as a carer by pursuing an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable woman, despite being fully aware of her dementia.

“He visited her home address while off duty, targeted her with gifts, sent inappropriate messages, all while knowing she lacked the capacity to consent. This was particularly concerning given that he had received safeguarding training through his employment and should have understood both his professional responsibilities and the vulnerabilities of those in his care.

“The impact of his offending on the victim’s emotional and physical wellbeing has been significant.

“I would like to thank the victim’s family, as well as Williams’ colleagues, for raising concerns at the earliest opportunity. Their vigilance and prompt action were instrumental in bringing this offending to light and ensuring that Williams was held accountable for his actions.”

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A man who groomed a young girl before raping her in a park has been jailed.

Reggie Cannon was 19 when he began messaging the 14-year-old girl on Instagram, telling her he was aged 16 and still at school.

The messaging continued for several weeks, and Cannon came to meet the girl after she finished school on a number of occasions.

In December 2020, the pair met up in a park in Seaham where Cannon raped and sexually assaulted the girl.

He was arrested and a police investigation launched.

The 24-year-old, of Stanley, was charged with rape, sexual assault, and grooming, which he admitted at a previous court hearing.

He also admitted failing to comply with the sex offender notification requirements, after failing to disclose he had changed addresses.

Cannon appeared at Durham Crown Court today (July 17) where he was jailed for six-and-a-half years.

He was also handed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, a ten-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the girl, and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Investigative Officer Leanne Hogg, from Durham Constabulary’s Complex Safeguarding Team, led the investigation.

She said:

“I’d like to commend the young girl for the strength she has shown throughout this investigation and subsequent court process.

“By standing up to Cannon and having her voice heard, she has helped to take a dangerous predator off the streets, who poses a clear risk to women and girls.”

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A 37-year-old man who was recently convicted of seven serious offences including rape, serious sexual assault, physical assaults, stalking, and coercive and controlling behaviour (CCB) has been jailed for 15 years plus an additional five years on licence.

Dean Dowson was convicted of the offences at the end of May this year, and at Teesside Crown Court on Friday he learned not only that he would spend a considerable amount of time in prison but that he will also be subject to a lifelong restraining order, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and that he will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

The court heard how his female victim was subjected to a sustained pattern of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. This included repeated acts of rape, violent and degrading sexual assaults and this caused serious psychological harm.

The offending formed part of a wider course of coercive and controlling behaviour, through which Dowson exercised power and control over the victim by monitoring her movements via cameras as well as checking her social media.

Dowson also stalked and harassed the woman until he was arrested outside her home address.

Speaking after court Officer in the case Temporary Detective Constable Seymour said:

"This was a sustained and serious campaign of abuse involving sexual violence, physical violence, and coercive and controlling behaviour. The victim was subjected to repeated acts of abuse, including rape and other serious sexual offences.

“Dowson refused to accept responsibility for his actions and has shown no remorse, forcing the victim to endure a lengthy and difficult trial.

“I would like to commend the victim for her immense strength and courage in coming forward and supporting this investigation. The resilience she has demonstrated throughout the case has been remarkable, and the quality of her evidence was instrumental in securing these convictions.

“While no sentence can undo the harm and trauma caused, I believe the length of this sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences. I hope this outcome provides the victim with a sense of justice and enables her to move forward with her life.

“Finally, I want to remind anyone else who is suffering abuse of any kind, that help IS available and I urge you to come forward.  We have specially trained officers who will listen to you, who will believe you and who will support you – frequently supplemented by help from our expert local agencies."

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Keith Stobbart Jailed for Breaching SHPO by Failing to Report New Tablet.

Keith Stobbart, 68, has been sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after buying a black Samsung tablet without notifying police.

Stobbart, who has seven convictions for 21 offences, is currently at HMP Holme House in Stockton. He was jailed for six years in 2008 for historic sexual offences and has previously breached SHPOs in 2015 and 2022. In 2022 he received a community order after sending a graphic sexual comment to a 14-year-old on TikTok. In 2024 he was jailed for 32 months for accessing indecent images of children and sexual communications with a child.

At Teesside Crown Court, prosecutor Imogen Eastham-Brown said an offender manager visited Stobbart on 6 June and asked him to produce all electronic devices. He handed over the tablet and claimed he had bought it on 1 June “to watch TV” while sleeping rough in his car. Examination of the device revealed search history from 23 and 29 May.

Stobbart told officers he had possessed the tablet for a couple of weeks but “hadn’t had time to do it” and found it “difficult to remember the prohibition.” He said he was “terribly sorry” and claimed he was recovering from cancer. No unlawful material was found on the tablet.

Judge Nathan Adams rejected the explanation, describing the breach as “deliberate” and stating he did not accept it as a reasonable excuse. Stobbart was already in custody on licence when sentenced.

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A registered sex offender who actively sought out child abuse images and repeatedly breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been jailed for three years.

David Potts repeatedly breached his SHPO between 2024 and 2026 – despite there being stringent conditions which he had to abide by.

Our Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) arrested the 71-year-old with DC Dave Riley, DC Dave Philipson and DC Dave Medd leading the investigation.

The team seized his devices where it was found he used VPNs to hide his IP address whilst browsing online and used tools to hide his internet history.

Other evidence uncovered that Potts had actively sought out child abuse images and had made real efforts to make copies of indecent images of children on his devices.

Potts was also found to have accessed indecent images of children online between January 2025 and August 2025. Of these, five were category C images, 11 were category B images and six were of the most serious category A.

The SHPOs were put in place after Potts was previously convicted of online sexual offences against children dating back to 2020. 

Potts from Stockton was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of attempting to possess indecent images of children, seven breaches of his SHPO and one count of failing to comply with notification requirements.

He pleaded guilty to all the offences and appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday 2 July where he was jailed for three years. He will continue to be subject to a SHPO and Sex Offender Notification Requirements when he is released. 

Detective Constable David Philipson from POLIT said: 

“Potts is a prolific online offender with a clear continuing sexual interest in children. We welcome the sentence imposed by the courts due to the serious harm that individuals like Potts pose to the public.

“Cleveland Police’s POLIT is committed to robust and swift action against individuals like Potts who offend against children online. We will continue to pursue these individuals and we remain determined to make Cleveland a safer place for children.”

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The victim of a brutal attack by a predator colleague has been praised after he was jailed.

The woman courageously fought off Marcus Jones who followed her into the staff toilet at her workplace on Boxing Day last year and attacked her.

Despite Jones trying to strangle her, the victim managed to escape the toilet and raise the alarm.

Officers blue-lighted to the scene and arrested Jones who had made off from the shop, texting his girlfriend to say hed lay in wait for the victim.

And despite giving a no comment interview, the 22-year-old was charged with false imprisonment, intentional strangulation, attempted sexual assault and assault by beating.

Jones, of Witton Park, Bishop Auckland, was due to go to trial after pleading not guilty to some of the charges but changed his pleas at Durham Crown Court and was sentenced to 45 months in prison on Friday (June 19). It was his first offence.

DC Hodgson, of South CID, said:

The victim showed remarkable courage, quick thinking, and determination during an extremely distressing ordeal.

Without her actions, the outcome could have been far more serious and her continued bravery in supporting the investigation has been instrumental in bringing Jones to justice.

We remain committed to protecting the public from predators and pursuing those responsible for violence against women and girls so we hope this case helps victims feel reassured that any reports are taken seriously and will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.

DC Hodgson added:

Despite Jones being previously unknown to police, his behaviour posed a very serious risk to public safety so we are glad to see him behind bars and hope this gives the victim some comfort so she can start to rebuild her life.

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A violent rapist will spend the next 30 years behind bars after being convicted of ‘extreme sexual and physical violence’ on three women.

Darren Oxley’s horrific offending took place over several years between 1988 and 2002 while he was in relationships with the women.

As well as repeatedly raping and sexually abusing the women, he left one with a broken jaw after pushing her down the stairs and forcing his knee into her face, causing it to break in multiple places.

Oxley also punched the woman, breaking her jaw again, and forced her head into a fish tank, which left her with a fractured eye socket.

On another occasion, he forced a woman’s head into a microwave and slammed the door on her face, causing her nose to break. He then threw a screwdriver at her as she tried to run away, leaving her with an open wound to her lower back.

He knocked another woman’s front teeth out after he headbutted her in the face, and injured her hand by forcing it into a top loading washing machine which was filled with boiling water.

Oxley’s offending came to light in 2023 when one of the women bravely contacted police and told them what had happened.

An investigation was launched by Durham Constabulary, which was led by Detective Constable Amie Thornton and Investigative Officer Heidi Weir from Darlington Safeguarding Team.

Through their enquiries, they found that another two women had also suffered abuse at the hands of Oxley.

The 53-year-old, of Darlington, was charged with a total of 20 offences, including six counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two of unlawful wounding, and nine of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Oxley denied the offences, but was convicted by a jury following an 11-day trial at Durham Crown Court in March.

He returned to court last Thursday (June 18) where he was jailed for 30 years and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Victim impact statements from the three women were read out in court, highlighting the long-lasting mental and physical effect his abuse had on them.

“Darren initially charmed me, but over time I became frightened of him,” one said. “The relationship was not equal, I felt controlled, intimidated, and unable to make my own decisions. I was often scared of what would happen if I did something he did not want.

“During this time I experienced both physical and emotional harm. I was left with injuries on multiple occasions, and the constant threat of violence meant that I lived in a state of ongoing anxiety and depression. I felt trapped, as though I could not safely stay, but also could not safely leave.”

Another woman said:

“For 26 years, I have lived with both physical and mental scars from the abuse I suffered at the hands of Darren Oxley. I have spent years suffering with PTSD, depression and anxiety with nightmares and flashbacks, which have led to self-harming and attempts to end my life.

“The fractures to my lower jawbone have caused problems with my teeth, pain, and lockjaw. I also have a phobia of anyone touching my face, which makes me flinch and panic.”

The third woman said:

“When the police knocked on my door back in April 2023, I felt a wave of emotion that hit me like a train. What Darren Oxley did to me shaped my life completely.

“He knocked my front teeth out, broke my nose, and gave me so many black eyes I lost count. If it wasn’t for the police coming to me, I would probably still be living with all the memories bottled inside me.

“You only get one chance in life, and he totally stole my chance of any happiness.”

He returned to court last Thursday (June 18) where he was jailed for 30 years and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Victim impact statements from the three women were read out in court, highlighting the long-lasting mental and physical effect his abuse had on them.

“Darren initially charmed me, but over time I became frightened of him,” one said. “The relationship was not equal, I felt controlled, intimidated, and unable to make my own decisions. I was often scared of what would happen if I did something he did not want.

“During this time I experienced both physical and emotional harm. I was left with injuries on multiple occasions, and the constant threat of violence meant that I lived in a state of ongoing anxiety and depression. I felt trapped, as though I could not safely stay, but also could not safely leave.”

Another woman said:

“For 26 years, I have lived with both physical and mental scars from the abuse I suffered at the hands of Darren Oxley. I have spent years suffering with PTSD, depression and anxiety with nightmares and flashbacks, which have led to self-harming and attempts to end my life.

“The fractures to my lower jawbone have caused problems with my teeth, pain, and lockjaw. I also have a phobia of anyone touching my face, which makes me flinch and panic.”

The third woman said:

“When the police knocked on my door back in April 2023, I felt a wave of emotion that hit me like a train. What Darren Oxley did to me shaped my life completely.

“He knocked my front teeth out, broke my nose, and gave me so many black eyes I lost count. If it wasn’t for the police coming to me, I would probably still be living with all the memories bottled inside me.

“You only get one chance in life, and he totally stole my chance of any happiness.”

Detective Inspector John Tyers, from Darlington Safeguarding Team, said:

“Oxley is a highly dangerous individual who showed extreme levels of violence and sexual aggression towards these women. As a result, they have been left with long-lasting physical and emotional scars, some of which they may never recover from.

“This was an exceptionally complex and challenging investigation into sexual and physical abuse which spanned multiple decades. The officers who led the case, IO Weir and DC Thornton, undertook a painstaking and methodical investigation, which included extensive tracking of survivors and witnesses through friends, relatives, former neighbours, historical records, and archived medical evidence.

“Their professionalism, empathy and determination were instrumental in securing justice for the victims and removing a dangerous offender from society.

“I’d also like to commend the women in this case for having the strength to speak to police, and support what has been a long and complicated investigation. I hope that this outcome provides a measure of comfort as they continue to rebuild their lives, and serves as a reminder to anyone who has experienced sexual violence that support is available.”

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A young girl who stood up to her rapist has seen him jailed for ten years.

David McDonald raped the girl when she was 13 years old.

He was arrested when the girl bravely told a teacher what had happened, and an investigation was launched.

The 64-year-old was charged with several offences, including rape and several counts of sexual assault.

McDonald, of Newton Aycliffe, denied the offences and went on trial at Durham Crown Court earlier this year where a jury found him guilty of rape.

He was acquitted of the other charges.   

Appearing back at court last Friday (June 5), McDonald was jailed for ten years.

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the girl, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In a victim impact statement, the girl said he has ruined her life.

The Officer in the Case (OIC) Samantha Geraghty, from Darlington Safeguarding Team, said:

“I’d like to commend the young girl for the immense bravery she has shown throughout this investigation and subsequent court process.

“By standing up to her rapist and having her voice heard, she has helped to get a dangerous man off the streets.”

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Sex Offender Breaches SHPO Twice Before Voluntarily Surrendering to Police

David Standley, 32, of Westbourne Street, Stockton, breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order on two occasions before handing himself in to officers, telling them custody was the safest place for him.

Standley appeared via video link from HMP Holme House at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday for sentencing on two counts of breaching the SHPO and possession of cannabis. The court heard that his mental health had deteriorated sharply at the time of the breaches.

In September 2021, Standley – then of Redcar – was caught communicating with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. In reality, it was a 50-year-old decoy from the undercover group Angels of Innocence. He sent an explicit image of himself and suggested she travel by train so they could “have sex in the woods”. He pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and was jailed for three years and two months, plus the SHPO.

In March this year he breached the order by factory resetting his mobile phone and discarding it.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Carroll described the case as “exceptionally unusual”.

He told Standley:

“You were going through a personal crisis and for whatever reason committed two offences of breaching a sexual harm prevention order. You immediately reported what you had done to police as you felt the only safe place you could be was prison. You did that because you recognised a decline in your mental health and [could] have committed violent offences.”

The judge imposed a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, to allow Standley to address his underlying issues. He must also complete 90 rehabilitation activity days and a 26-day programme.