Latest Offenders Newcastle

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Thomas Dodds, 56, attacked his victim as she rested in bed after feeling unwell and vomiting earlier in the evening.

Specialist officers from the Force’s Safeguarding Department immediately launched an investigation after a friend of the victim swiftly reported the offence.

Dodds, of Thames Road, Hebburn, was arrested the same evening and denied the offence.

He was charged with rape and following a four-week long trial at Newcastle Crown Court in December, Dodds of Thames Road, Hebburn, was found guilty by a jury.

He appeared at the same court on Wednesday, where he was sentenced to eight years and six months behind bars.

Dodds has also been made subject to a 12-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offender’s register.

Leading on the investigation was Detective Constable Amy Burridge, of Northumbria’s Rape Investigation Team.

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A sex offender from Newcastle has been jailed after a series of assaults on a victim in the 1990s.

Steve Hinchan's victim has been living with the impact of his crimes, but after she bravely reported the abuse to police, an investigation was launched in 2021, by the Northumbria Police Safeguarding Department.

Hinchan, 56, attended a police station to be interviewed, denying the allegations put towards him. Later in the year, he was charged with five counts of indecent assault, as the offences took place before the Sexual Offences Act was introduced in 2003.

He continued to deny the allegations during a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, and in November, a jury found him guilty of all offences. Last Friday, Hinchan, of Grosvenor Court, Newcastle, was handed a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence, and he will also remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Speaking after the sentencing, the victim said: "The term ‘historical’ does not accurately describe the abuse I endured, and I do not identify with the label ‘survivor.’ Both terms suggest that the abuse is confined to my past, but for me, the fear and anxiety remain an everyday reality.

"I feel perpetually trapped in states of fight, flight, and freeze, unable to fully escape the shadow of what happened. Since the day the abuse began, I have felt as though I’ve been infected with an incurable disease, as I lived in shame and secrecy, unable to share the full extent of the abuse with anyone.

"His words, that no-one would believe me, imprisoned me in a pit of silence for almost 30 years. I have now had to accept that no amount of therapy, medication or time will erase what he did to me.

"What was taken from me has altered the course of my life irreversibly. No sentence can undo this damage, but I hope this process will provide some finality, allowing me to begin a new chapter."

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Sergeant Barbara Callaghan, added: "I hope this case shows other people out there who may be hesitant to come forward that it’s never too late to seek justice.

"The victim battled with the consequences of Hinchan’s horrific crimes for most of her life, but bravely disclosed what happened to police, allowing us to take action. Her voice has now been heard loud and clear, and because of her that a dangerous man is in prison.

"No-one should have to go through anything like this, and I'd urge anyone who has been a victim of any form of sexual offending to reach out, whether it happened yesterday, or decades ago. There is no time limit on support, we’re here for you."

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A rapist has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of offences committed more than a decade ago.

Christopher Sams, 34, targeted his young victim for six years.

The victim reported the abuse in 2021, which saw officers in Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department launch an investigation.

During the investigation, Sams, of Kenton Road, North Shields, was arrested and denied all offences.

Christopher Sams (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) He was later charged with eight counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

A week-long trial took place at Newcastle Crown Court in November, where Sams was found guilty by a jury on all counts.

He appeared at the same court on Friday (January 17) where he was sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

He’s also been made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and has been placed on the sex offender’s register.

Leading on the investigation for Northumbria Police was Detective Constable Lucy Joyce.

Speaking after Sams sentencing, she said: “The courage and bravery shown by the survivor in this case is incredible, and I hope the lengthy prison sentence ahead of Sams allows them to find some degree of closure.

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A paedophile has been jailed for historical sexual offences he committed 30 years ago, thanks to the actions of his brave survivors. 

John Corby has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after he targeted three young victims in the Newcastle area, subjecting them to appalling abuse.

The case came to light in November 2021, when one of Corby’s victims came forward to Northumbria Police.

This led officers from the Safeguarding Department to launch a comprehensive investigation.

In January 2022, Corby was interviewed and subsequently charged with two counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault, and one count of gross indecency. He denied all the charges.

After an eight-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court in September, the jury found Corby guilty on all counts.

On Monday, November 18, Corby, 66, of Hallow Drive, Throckley, Newcastle, was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

He was also placed under a sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

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A predator who raped a 14-year-old girl after grooming her online has been jailed for eight years.

Rhys Walker, 24, spent weeks messaging the teenager before he forced her to engage in sexual acts with him, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He had denied rape and sexual assault but was found guilty of both offences by jurors.

Judge Tim Gittins said Walker, from West Boldon in South Tyneside, knew about and "preyed upon" the "particularly vulnerable" girl's age and her difficult home life.

'I can move on'

Walker was 21 when he befriended the girl on social media and quickly started sending her sexualised images, the court heard.

After three or four weeks he offered to let the girl stay at his home, jurors were told.

Judge Gittins said it appeared on the face of it to be an offer of sanctuary, but Walker was actually "seeking to get her alone" where he would be prepared to use force to have sexual activity with her.

In a statement read to the court, the girl said the attack had severely damaged her mental health and led to her self-harming, while she also suffered flashbacks and an inability to sleep.

"I am relieved people have believed me and I can get closure knowing he can't do this to anyone else," the girl said, adding: "I can finally start to move on with my life."

Walker, of Hall Gardens, must also sign the sex offender register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order limiting his use of internet-enabled devices for an indefinite period.

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A homeless South Tyneside sex offender who breaches a court order to be returned to prison has been spared fresh jail time after allegedly changing his ways.

Stanley Riches, 51, convicted of rape in 2003 and currently sleeping rough in a tent, has taken steps to turn his life around, his latest court appearance heard.

Before borough magistrates, he pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

He did so by failing to inform police of his whereabouts on one weekly occasion earlier in November, as required.

His apparent lifestyle progress led to borough magistrates jailing him for 26 weeks but agreeing to suspend the sentence for a year.

She revealed previous non-compliance saw him jailed for 26 weeks in July, 15 weeks in April and 26 weeks last November.

He was also put behind bars for 24 weeks in December 2021 – and has seven other same breaches.

Riches was returned to court after being arrested on Tuesday, November 12, for failing to keep his weekly date with police.

Ms Burgess added: “The circumstances are straight forward. He must register every seven days if homeless.

“He last did so on November 4, thereby seven days was midnight on November 11. He should have gone back to register.

“The defendant was arrested and in interview he made admissions. He has 40 previous convictions from 91 offences.

“There are a number of like convictions where he has not adhered to the notification requirements.

John Williams, defending, said he had seen a marked improvement in Riches’ attitude to life.

He said: “He accepts he should have signed on but didn’t. He’s homeless and living in a tent. He fully complied between September 12 and November 11.

“He says that on the day in question he had gone to his doctors for medication and his head was all over the place and he forgot.

“He signed yesterday and thought that would be the end of it. There’s been a significant change in his attitude.”

The Probation Service also said Riches’ attitude towards his work with them had seen “vast improvement”.

Riches must pay a £154 victim surcharge.

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An 83-year-old paedophile could die behind bars for historic sex offences against three schoolgirls. 

Terrance Whittingham denied he had targeted any of the victims but was convicted by a jury after a trial. 

In harrowing impact statements read at Newcastle Crown Court the three women say the are still traumatised by their ordeals but one added: "I know he can never again do anything like this to anyone, which means I get peace."

Judge Gavin Doig jailed Whittingham for 13 years with a one year extended licence period.

Whittingham, of Colliery Close, Hebburn, was ordered to abide by a sexual harm prevention order and sign the sex offenders register for life. 

Judge Gavin Doig told him: "There is no doubt your offending has caused significant and lasting trauma to these women, who were and are telling the truth about you and have been throughout. 

"I would like to pay tribute to all for them for having the courage to come forward in the first place and perhaps having greater courage to see the case through." 

Whittingham was convicted of 16 offences of indecent assault and indecency with a child and attempted indecency, all of which he denied. 

David Callan, defending, said Whittingham, who has poor mobility, was of positive good character, served in the army and receives a war pension. 

Mr Callan added: "It's probable, with any sentence that gets passed, it may mean the defendant is going to die while in prison. This is not a defendant who views the future as a friend." 

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A teenager caught with indecent images of children has been spared prison.

Leon Dunlavy was arrested on August 22 last year following the police receiving intelligence about what he had been doing. When quizzed, he said he may have seen indecent images through pop-ups redirecting him but said he would click off them.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he also said he was on Discord and that people "may have sent him links to indecent images but they were not at his request and he didn't save them". His devices were then checked and on one phone there was no illegal material but there was evidence of him using search terms associated people searching for child abuse images.

On a second phone, two of the most serious, category A images and one category C image was found. On a cloud storage device, 45 category A videos, 27 category B videos and 12 category C videos were discovered, along with two extreme pornography videos featuring bestiality. The ages of the children were estimated to be between four and 14.

Dunlavy, 17 at the time of the offences and now 19, of Chestnut Avenue, Cowgate, Newcastle, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one of possessing extreme pornography. He said he was only interested in the images of older teens and was disgusted by some of the material showing younger children.

He was sentenced to a two year community order with 120 hours unpaid work. He will also have to sign the sex offenders register for five years and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Jonathan Cousins, defending, said: "This is a very young man who leads a very sheltered life, is heavily reliant on the support of his family, considerably isolated and not a mature offender."

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A man from Wallsend who used social media platforms to send explicit messages to and request indecent images from children has been sentenced following a National Crime Agency investigation.

Daniel Lee, 29, used multiple social media platforms to send more than 60,000 messages across 2,405 conversations to acquire indecent images of children through conversations with victims.

NCA officers recovered a total of 97 Category A, 94 Category B and 215 Category C images and videos from his device.

Nine UK male and female child victims were identified, aged between 13 and 16 at the time of his offending.

In one chat, a 14-year-old victim told Lee her age but he continued to engage in sexually explicit messaging via social media and using voice notes.

In another, Lee asked the age of his victim and continued to ask for indecent images after he was told she was 15.

Lee also deliberately used a false profile image on his accounts, telling one 14-year-old victim that he was 16 and sending her £20 during the course of the conversation to encourage sexually explicit messages. Lee swapped more than 4000 messages with this victim alone.

When searching Lee's phone, officers found that Lee had also messaged a number of accounts asking if they were selling sexual content. Numerous messages indicated he wanted to pay for images, videos or live 'sessions' but had no money to pay.

Lee was arrested at his home in August 2022. On arrest, he told NCA officers "I hold my hands up to it, I should never have done it". He went on to provide a no comment interview.

He was charged with 45 offences including inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity involving penetration, sexual communication with a child and making and distributing indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty to all the offences at Newcastle Crown Court in July 2024.

Lee was jailed for four years and five months at the same court today. He will be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Danielle Pownall from the National Crime Agency said: "The NCA is committed to protecting children and bringing those who seek this material out to justice.

"Daniel Lee was a prolific offender, targeting children on social media sites and soliciting illegal images from them for his own gratification.

"We uncovered tens of thousands of messages on Lee's device, both to his victims and to other accounts to request sexual content. He preyed on vulnerable children to continue his offending."

Bethany Raine, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: "Daniel Lee made a number of different accounts with false personas, for the predatory purpose of targeting children online and obtaining sexual images of them.

"His offending has affected dozens of children, who were manipulated and exploited, all for his own sexual gratification.

"The CPS will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners to relentlessly pursue justice for victims and prosecuting those who engage in online child sexual abuse."

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A convicted child sex offender has been locked up after he hid three mobile phones and other digital devices in his Newcastle home.

Roland Mitchell, who was jailed in the 1980s and 1990s for indecently assaulting youngsters, was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2016 after he was caught with indecent images of kids. Under the terms of the order, the 74-year-old must inform police of any devices he owned, which were capable of accessing the internet or storing digital photos or videos.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that, during a routine visit to his home, an officer noticed that his regular mobile phone had a very small internet history, which aroused her suspicions. A subsequent search of the property found three further phones, a laptop, a tablet, a USB and hard drive device and three camcorders.

Now, Mitchell, of Cambridge Street, in Elswick, Newcastle, has been jailed for 10 months after he pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and two of failing to comply with notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

Rachael Glover, prosecuting, said an officer attended Mitchell's address on November 30 last year. She added: "During that visit, the defendant handed over a mobile phone, in which the officer identified there was very little internet history and, suspecting this may be down to him deleting the history, he was arrested."

A later search of the flat uncovered the hidden devices, as well as a Barclays bank card and a passport, which he must also tell police about under the terms of his order. During interview, Mitchell claimed he had forgotten about the digital devices but had no explanation for the three phones.

The court heard that Mitchell had 32 offences on his record, including gross indecency from 1964, indecent assault on a female under 14 in 1980 and similar offending in 1983. He was then jailed again in 1998 for indecent assault. Caroline McGurk, defending, said Mitchell now suffered with ill health and there was no evidence that he had used the devices in a "suspect" way.

Locking him up, Judge Penny Moreland said: "They were deliberate breaches and I'm satisfied it couldn't be anything other than deliberate to posses that number of devices."

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A vile paedophile who "stripped his victims of their childhood innocence" when he subjected them to multiple rapes and sexual assaults has been jailed.

Thomas Reay stole the childhoods of two young girls when he carried out the sickening abuse over a number of years. But now the 65-year-old has been locked up for 25 years after his victims found the courage to report the offending to a loved one in May of this year.

The report prompted an investigation by Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department and Reay was subsequently charged with a string of offences and remanded in custody.

Reay, of Hesleyside Drive, Newcastle, later pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to 16 child sex offences in July.

He appeared before Durham Crown Court on Tuesday where he was sentenced to 25 years behind bars.

Leading the investigation, Detective Constable Paul Armstrong, of Northumbria Police, said: "Reay subjected the victims in this case to horrific ordeals over the course of a number of years, and I am pleased the courts have seen fit to hand him a very lengthy custodial sentence.

"Reay is a vile predator who stripped his victims of their childhood innocence through repeated abuse. I would like to praise the victims for their incredible bravery and courage to come forward because if they had not taken that first step of telling a loved one what had happened, Reay might not be behind bars today.

"No sentence will ever detract from the trauma they suffered, but I hope this lengthy sentence can provide some degree of closure which will allow them to move forward with their lives. Protecting the vulnerable and ensuring the most serious offenders like Reay are brought to justice are our top priorities as a Force.

"I would urge anyone who has been a victim, or wants to share information about an offender, to get in touch. We will support you and we will believe you."

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Brett Wight, 47, subjected the woman to multiple rapes causing her lasting physical injuries.

The stoic victim, though, had the fortitude to come forward to disclose the offences to police.

An investigation was immediately launched by the Northumbria force and last year the defendant was charged with multiple sexual offences.

Wight, of Throckley, Newcastle, went on trial at the city’s crown court late last year where he was convicted by a jury of four counts of rape, following the two-week hearing.

He returned to the court, on Friday (September 20), where he received a 15-year custodial sentence to be followed by an eight-year extended licence period.

Wight will also be subject to registration as a sex offender and prohibitions under the terms of a restraining order, both for life.

Following the sentencing hearing, the sister of the survivor of his crimes praised the police investigators for their, “remarkable actions.”

She said: “I cannot emphasise how much of an impact the brilliance of Northumbria Police has had on my family.

“I can say with all honesty we would not have had this result had it not been for your amazing police force.

“Particularly those officers who have been by our side and supported us since the start.”

She singled out Detective Constable Leo Douglas and Police Constable Kris Wightman, who she described as, “the absolute guardian angels” of her sister.

“The care, attention, support, professionalism, shown is astonishing.

“I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that those officers on my sister’s case are recognised for their brilliance.

“I don’t think there is an award big enough for them.

“If I could scream this from the rooftops for the whole world to hear, believe me, I would!”

She said the force ought to be seen as, “amazing”, and should be, “celebrated and recognised for their brilliance.”

The grateful sibling added: “I will spend the rest of my life spreading positivity about Northumbria Police and how wonderful they are.

“I know my sister feels exactly the same.”

The officer leading the case, DC Douglas, responded by saying: “First and foremost, I would like to thank the survivor for the incredible strength she has shown which has ultimately made it possible to bring her abuser to justice.

“No-one should ever have to experience what she went through at the hands of Wight, but without bravery in reporting what had happened, he would not be behind bars today and his offending may never even have come to light.

“Her strength and bravery is something she should be incredibly proud of, and I want to personally thank her for her tenacity, and her continued co-operation throughout our investigation.”

He added: “Wight is a dangerous individual and deserves to be behind bars for a significant length of time.

“As a force, protecting and supporting vulnerable victims is our top priority and we will continue to work incredibly hard to put offenders before the courts and ensure that no-one gets away with this type of criminality.”

He urged any victim to take the first step and come forward, stressing they will be listened to and supported, “in whatever way we can.”

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A paedophile has been jailed for more than 25 years for raping two children

In some instances, Karl Young, 33, offered his victims alcohol and made aggressive threats towards them if they did not comply with his advances.

Both victims bravely raised the alarm about Young to those around them who informed Northumbria Police, and he was arrested in December of last year.

Following a thorough investigation by specialist officers from the force’s safeguarding department, he was charged with a string of sexual offences including rape.

While initially denying any involvement, Young, of St Marks Way in South Shields, later pleaded guilty to nine offences including assault by penetration, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, and four counts of rape of a child at Newcastle Crown Court on May 7.

He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

On Friday, Young appeared before the same court where a judge sentenced him to 25 years and six months in prison, and a further year on licence.

He will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register, and was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Leading the investigation for Northumbria Police was Detective Constable Gavin James.

Speaking after Young’s sentencing, he said: “Young is a calculated predator, who used alcohol and aggression to coerce his victims into sexual activity.

“I would like to commend both of the survivors in this case for the immeasurable bravery they have shown throughout the whole process.

“From coming forward and raising the alarm to those around them, and then having to re-live their pain speaking about Young’s horrific actions towards them.

“Ultimately, their unwavering support has allowed us to bring a vile offender like Young to justice – and I hope the survivors and their loved ones are able to find some closure in today’s outcome knowing he is now behind bars.”

Det Con James added: “I hope this sends a clear message to those who have committed these types of crimes – you won’t get away with them and we’ll do everything in our power to put dangerous offenders like Young before the courts.

“Most importantly, this result is an example of what we can do when we work together to support survivors of sexual offences and hold their abusers to account.

“If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, please know that we can help you – and we will listen to you.

“Please come forward and report anything of concern today.”

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A predator who abused a girl has been jailed for almost two decades.

Stephen Frame, 34, raped and sexually assaulted the girl numerous times.

The brave survivor came forward and reported the abuse to police in 2022, and the Force’s Safeguarding Department immediately launched an investigation.

Frame was swiftly arrested by police but denied the allegations against him.

In 2023, he was charged with a series of offences, including rape and sexual assault.

And in April, Frame, of South Eldon Street, South Shields, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where a jury saw through his lies and convicted him of all counts of the sexual abuse.

On Tuesday (July 2), he appeared at the same court where he was sentenced to 17 years behind bars.

He will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was given a life-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and restraining order to further monitor his behaviour when he is released from prison.

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A sex offender has found himself in court once again - this time for failing to tell police about a change of address.

Barry Parker was given a lengthy prison sentence in the mid-1990s for a sexual offence and is on the sex offenders register. But the 66-year-old has committed breaches of his order on several occasions in the past and has once again been hauled back into court.

On Wednesday, Parker, of Byker Bridge House, Byker, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court facing a charge of failing to comply with notification requirements. He pleaded guilty to the single offence, which dates back to March 22 this year.

The court heard that in January 1996, Parker had been jailed for seven years for sexual offending - the details of which were not given during proceedings. As well as his prison sentence, he was also put on the sex offenders register, meaning he must comply with certain conditions - one of which is notifying police of a change of address.

But Parker breached the order this year when he moved address and failed to notify police. Stephen Davies, prosecuting, said: "It became apparent with [police] that he was no longer living at his registered address. Police were notified that he was living at Byker Bridge House and failed to register the change of address. He was arrested and interviewed and explained he was evicted and failed to notify police of his new address."

The court was told that following his 1996 conviction, Parker had committed order breaches in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2016. His breaches had resulted in either prison time or financial penalties.

Michael Crowe, defending, told the court Parker is in "poor physical health" and has memory issues. He said: "The best part of 30 years ago [Parker] was convicted of something he's always maintained his innocence for. He has some breaches over a period of 29 years and it is right to say he has been required to report to police on hundreds of occasions. By and large, he has managed to comply with that."

Mr Crowe said Parker had been living in temporary accommodation but was attacked by another resident and he "defended himself". He was then evicted and moved to Byker Bridge House after spending a short time living on the streets. Mr Crowe added there was "nothing sinister" in not notifying the authorities of the address change, saying: "He says because of the circumstances in which he moved, he was in some state of distress and [notifying police] simply slipped his mind."

Magistrates fined Parker £120 and ordered him to pay a £48 surcharge and £85 costs.