Latest Offenders Newcastle

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The former headteacher at Newcastle's prestigious Royal Grammar School has been banned from teaching over sexual misconduct claims.

John Fern, who held the top job at the Jesmond private school from 2017 to 2019, came before a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) after pupils from a school he previously taught at made allegations against him. The 47-year-old was accused of kissing two students at the boarding school, and discussing his own sexual activity with others.

He also put his hand inside a pupil's clothing, it was claimed. The allegations, which were all denied by Mr Fern, came to light after one pupil made a report of historical sexual activity with the teacher to police in 2019.

Officers also spoke to another pupil, but neither wanted to support a prosecution against Mr Fern and no further action was taken in the criminal investigation. Mr Fern was on sick leave from his role at RGS and did not return to the school.

A spokeswoman said: "These allegations relate to an entirely different school and took place 20 years ago. They were brought to our attention after being reported to police in early summer 2019.

"Mr Fern was on sick leave and, under guidance from the Local Authority Safeguarding Officer, did not return to RGS. The matter was investigated by police and no charges were brought but Mr Fern resigned in November 2019.

"He was subsequently referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency, whose formal decision has just been published. We were prevented from making any reference to the matter until the police concluded their investigation and the TRA completed its disciplinary processes.

"We were shocked and saddened to learn of the allegations and the impact they have had on the individuals concerned. Although this matter does not relate to RGS and there was no cause for concern during Mr Fern’s time here, all schools need to hear about such incidents and examine what, if anything, they can learn from them.

"While there can never be room for complacency, RGS has a range of robust and effective mechanisms in place that allow students, parents or staff to raise any issue they may be concerned about. We are proud of the open culture of our school, in which reporting safeguarding concerns is welcomed and issues acted upon promptly and decisively."

The TRA report explains how the pupil, referred to as Pupil A, made the report to police saying the sexual activity "had not negatively affected him in the long term". But he said he felt compelled to report Mr Fern to the police when he heard he had become a headteacher.

The report says: "He was concerned that Mr Fern was in a senior trusted role and had the potential to misuse that position. Pupil A did not want to support a prosecution as he did not feel that the sexual activity between Mr Fern and himself warranted any criminal sanction. His purpose in reporting this matter was to ensure the future protection of pupils."

After being contacted by police Mr Fern informed the chair of governors at RGS and resigned after being told there would be a formal disciplinary hearing. The panel found Mr Fern guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The report says: "Mr Fern's actions included serious sexual misconduct with more than one pupil, including some non-consensual acts. Mr Fern's behaviour was further aggravated by the significant breach of trust between that of a teacher and pupil.

"The panel is satisfied that the conduct of Mr Fern amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."

The panel made a recommendation to the Secretary of State that Mr Fern be issued with a "prohibition order" which would ban him from teaching with immediate effect. Sarah Buxcey, on behalf of the Secretary of State, agreed that Mr Fern should be banned from teaching indefinitely and he now cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

She said: "Mr Fern breached the trust of pupils in his care, the misconduct happened over a period of time, with more than one pupil. Mr Fern’s actions mean that he presents a risk to the safety and wellbeing of pupils in the future."

Parents of children at RGS were informed of what had happened by a letter sent out this week. RGS claims to be the North East's leading Independent School.

Parents pay fees of just over £12,000 a year for junior school pupils and more than £15,000 for senior students. In 2018, five students were expelled from the school amid concerns about bullying.

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A sex offender has landed himself back in court after he set-up a Facebook account in a fake name.

Joseph Tudor, also known as Albert, was put on the Sex Offenders' Register in 2017, which means he must abide by a number of rules. One of those rules is that the 42-year-old must tell police of he uses a different name, including online.

However, in March this year, while officers performed a routine review on Tudor, they found he'd set-up a Facebook account under the name Joe Virgo, a court was told. Nothing untoward was found on the account but it did land Tudor, of Bewicke Road, in Wallsend, back in the dock for failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Paul Anderson, prosecuting, said officers conducted the review on March 25 this year. Mr Anderson continued: "He's set-up a Facebook account using a false name. He's subject to notification requirements and an annual review by police as a result of his past offending.

"As a result of one of those reviews, officers discovered the defendant hadn't told them that he had set-up a Facebook account in the name of Joe Virgo, which, of course, he ought to have done."

When interviewed, Tudor said he had been "absent-minded" when setting up the account and had forgotten to tell police. The court heard that Tudor created the account as he was getting death threats on an old one in his real name and had chosen to use his zodiac sign as his surname.

District Judge Kate Meek decided she needed a pre-sentence report before she finalised the case and adjourned it until September 6. Tudor was released on bail to appear back before the same court on that date.

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A predator wore a Christmas jumper to make himself look "endearing" before carrying out a terrifying public toilet sex attack on a schoolboy.

Patrick Livingstone, who is subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, sported the festive garment to make him appear "harmless" as he lurked around the lavatories in Newcastle in November 2020. When a teenager went in and used a urinal, he was targeted by the 54-year-old serial sex offender, ordered into a cubicle and subjected to a terrifying ordeal.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley told Newcastle Crown Court the youth "froze" and felt "powerless" during the attack. The victim said in a statement: "When it happened I was in total shock and panic. I was terrified the male was going to go further."

The boy said he felt "paranoid, scared and sick" afterwards. Mr Espley said charity shop worker Livingstone deliberately wore the Christmas jumper "in an attempt to make himself look endearing and no threat and harmless when in reality he's anything but."

Livingstone has convictions for sex offences in the 1990s and was jailed for attempted grooming and trying to incite sexual activity with two different underage boys in 2017. At the time of the toilet attack he was on bail for a child sex attack carried out on a boy over 30 years ago.

After staying silent for more than three decades about what Livingstone did to him, the brave victim spoke out when he saw a newspaper article about the 2017 offences. Mr Espley said: "He never told anyone until he reported it because he saw an article about Mr Livingstone being convicted for sexual offences."

The victim branded Livingstone a "monster" and said the attack on him had a "huge impact" on his life. He said: "Nothing will take away how I feel about this and it doesn't get any easier to deal with.

"I waited almost 30 years to tell the police what had he did to me, living in fear and shame. The newspaper article made me get in touch with the police about what he did. It was an article about how he had been sent to prison.

"That shows to me he will never change, he's a danger to children. Him being left to be free puts children at risk. I will never be free of what he did to me."

Livingstone, of St. John's Green, Percy Main, North Shields, admitted indecent assault in relation to the historic offence as well as sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity without consent in relation to the toilet attack. He also admitted three charges of breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in relation to conversations with and messages sent to children.

Judge Robert Adams sentenced Livingstone to four years and eight months behind bars with a five year extended licence. The court heard probation officials assessed Livingstone as a "significant risk of causing serious harm to members of the public, particularly teenagers or adolescents, especially boys."

Judge Adams agreed with the conclusion and said: "He is dangerous." The judge told Livingstone: "You are a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public, particularly children and adolescent boys."

The court heard Livingstone has learning difficulties and is "lonely and isolated" but now has a partner. Helen Towers, defending, said Livingstone is "capable of rehabilitation".

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A young sex offender who 'loves little boys' and 'thinks rape videos are awesome' is back behind bars for his latest offences. James Cartwright, 21, has several offences on his record including making child abuse images, sexual touching and distributing indecent images.

In messages to other paedophiles, Cartwright previously described sex attack videos as 'awesome' and also said he loved little boys so much. He has been assessed as being a high risk of serious harm to male and female children.

Now Cartwright has been brought back before Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court and jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to three offences of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register. The latest prison sentence comes after he was jailed for 21 months in September last year for two offences of breaching the SHPO.

The court heard his latest breaches involved him having a virtual private network; using Snapchat to delete information; and contacting a child he knew to be under the age of 16. And he breached the notification requirements by failing to inform the police of social media names and aliases.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said the defendant, of Albert Street, Newcastle, and formerly of Burslem, admitted in his police interview to having items on his phone which he should not have had. Mr Muldoon said: "He is still only 21. He recognises he has issues in relation to the way he conducts himself.

"At the moment he has not undertaken any programmes or approved courses to address these issues. At only 21 there is enough time for him to address issues and carry out approved courses and put himself in a position to comply with the orders of the court."

Judge Graeme Smith said: "This is a worrying case because at a relatively young age you have already amassed a number of convictions for very similar offences. You are now back in front of the court for having a virtual private network; setting up Snapchat to delete information; contacting a child you knew or believed to be under 16 - all breaches of the SHPO; and failing to notify the offender manager of social media names and aliases - a breach of the notification requirements.

"You know the police can and will attend without notice to check whether you are complying and you have been in custody on previous occasions because of breaches. These are very serious matters.

"You are still young. You have not had the opportunity to undertake any registered sex offender courses. It is to be hoped at some stage you will have that opportunity and you will take it."

Cartwright will serve half the sentence in custody with the rest on licence.

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Parents were horrified to discover a convicted sex offender had been having sinister contact with their children.

Daniel Sloan sought to ingratiate himself with youngsters, who thought he was being kind by buying doughnuts, showing off his double joints and telling them he did gymnastics. But in reality he was a paedophile with a disturbing sexual interest in children.

In April 2018 Sloan was jailed for three years for attempted grooming and inciting sexual activity of a child and he was given a sexual harm prevention order which banned him from having or seeking contact with a child unless their parent knew of his conviction, allowed such contact and it was supervised.

Having been released, Sloan had already breached the order when he went on to have prohibited contact with children in Hebburn. A mum of a ten-year-old girl noticed him watching the children playing on a grass verge and she also saw him speaking to one of the children.

One evening in June, the mother returned home to find her daughter playing in her friend's front garden and Sloan was speaking to them over a garden fence. The woman took her child inside and asked what he had been saying. She replied that he had been "really kind", showing them his double joints and how he could go cock-eyed.

Christopher Rose, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court : "She said he had held a ruler above his head and her friend was trying to jump up for it. Her friend had taken off her shoe and soiled her feet and the defendant suggested she have a shower.

"The mum asked her daughter his name and when told she Googled him. She was shocked and alarmed at what she found out and informed other parents and the police."

The mum said in a victim impact statement: "I felt sick to the stomach at the thought of anything else happening to the children. I wish I had found out earlier, this has caused me distress, worry and anxiety."

A dad of a younger girl also saw Sloan talking to her. Mr Rose said: "On one occasion, he looked out of the upstairs window and noticed his daughter was not in the garden, where she should have been. He was concerned and went downstairs and saw his daughter step out of the defendant's front door. This happened on more than one occasion.

"The defendant denied any child had entered his house but the witness is adamant he saw his daughter exit the door of the defendant's flat."

The court heard Sloan had also bought the girl doughnuts and she was holding some as she came out of his door standing next to the pervert.

In June the man was in his home with his windows open when he heard Sloan talking to his daughter outside, telling her he did gymnastics and asking if she did. He also said to her: "I've got you more doughnuts, the ones you like, not jam".

The concerned dad was then shown a news report about Sloan's previous offending. Police were called and Sloan complained he no longer felt safe as people had found out about his past. He then resisted arrest.

The dad said: "She keeps waking up through the night having nightmares asking if he is coming back to get her and keeps crying in her sleep and is frightened of being in a room by herself and frightened to play outside.

"School have expressed concerns she has been drawing pictures of violent scenes showing Daniel Sloan with a knife and blood. She now knows what a paedophile is. He has ruined her innocence."

Sloan, 35, of no fixed address, whose previous convictions include two indecent assaults from 2005, the attempted grooming and inciting sexual activity offences from 2018 and two breaches of the sexual harm prevention order from 2020, pleaded guilty to breaching the sexual harm prevention order and resisting arrest.

Jailing him for 32 months, Recorder Tom Moran said he poses a very high risk and added: "The only sensible conclusion is you are unable to control your sexual attraction to children. This was not innocent, inadvertent or fleeting, it was clearly a lot more sinister than that . You were trying to ingratiate yourself with them."

Jamie Adams, defending, said: "He is not a man without intelligence and he is aware of the wrongfulness of this behaviour. He felt he had been doing well in the accommodation he was in.

"He feels he has got a label around his neck saying sex offender which makes it very difficult for him to think he can engage in a normal way in society with people around him."

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A rapist who carried out "vile and persistent" sexual abuse of a child over a period of years has been caged for 24 years.

Majid Rafizadeh perpetrated a "campaign of rapes" against a child over a period of around six years during a "sinister process" of grooming. The 46-year-old continues to deny the offences, despite being found guilty by a jury of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following a trial in May.

On Thursday, Rafizadeh, of Fenham, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for the four counts. He required a Farsi-Persian interpreter throughout proceedings.

Judge Tim Gittins said Rafizadeh carried out "vile and persistent sexual abuse" of the child and also carried out "random and repeated violence" against the victim. He said Rafizadeh also "began a sinister process of grooming" while undertaking a "campaign of rapes" at a time when he was addicted to opium. The court was told that Rafizadeh's crimes finally came to light when the victim grew older and reported the abuse to police.

Susan Hirst, defending, said Rafizadeh continues to deny the offences and said he had no previous convictions prior to his trial. She said Rafizadeh was born and raised in Iran and was a "productive member of society there" after setting up a small business selling car parts. She said: "He then became involved in political demonstrations against the government and had to flee the country. He arrived in the UK in 2000 and has always had a strong work ethic."

Ms Hirst added: "Once in the UK he found employment working on construction sites before training as a gas engineer. In recent years he was running his own company." The court was told that Rafizadeh had also suffered from depression and was "very vulnerable in his own right".

Judge Gittins jailed Rafizadeh for 24 years and made him subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He will also be on the sex offender's register for life. A restraining order was also imposed.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Nicola Wade, said the victim had shown exceptional courage speaking out against Rafizadeh and hopes it will help encourage other victims of abuse to speak out. She said: "This man is a predatory paedophile who has taken advantage of the victim and left them emotionally broken. They have suffered at the hands of this vile man but has been so brave throughout this investigation. I hope this sentence can bring some form of closure but also give others the confidence to come forward and report abuse of any form to police."

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A paedophile who was found in possession of hundreds of sickening child abuse images claimed he was compiling a "dossier" to hand over to police.

Lee Scott was found with over 460 category A indecent images, 451 of which were videos depicting horrific abuse, when police went to his home on March 3, last year. The 32-year-old was found in possession of 810 indecent images in total, as well as two prohibited images of children.

Scott, of Welbeck Road, Walker, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for possession of indecent images. He pleaded guilty at a previous hearing.

Michael Bunch, prosecuting, said police went to his home address in March last year and was asked about indecent images. "He said 'yes, I did, I was sent some things and sent them on'", Mr Bunch said. Scott's cloud storage was also looked into and a Samsung mobile phone was seized. The court was told that 462 category A images, including 451 videos were found, as well as 157 category B, and 191 category C images. Two prohibited images were also found.

During the examination of his phone, 50 category A, 73 category B, and 147 category C images were found, which had been deleted by Scott. He was interviewed twice by police but on both occasions made no reply. The court heard that Scott initially claimed he had amassed the indecent material in order to create a "dossier for the police". Recorder Ian Mullarkey said this claim was "complete nonsense".

Mark Harrison, defending, said Scott, who had one previous caution dating back to 2008 for possessing an indecent image, had entered a guilty plea and had made good progress with the probation service although a "significant amount of work" still needs to be done. He said: "He doesn't find it easy to discuss how it was that he came to be in possession of the images." Mr Harrison added that Scott did not distribute any of the images and has a job. He added Scott was a "vulnerable young man who would struggle considerably if incarcerated".

Recorder Ian Mullarkey said Scott had a "long standing sexual interest in children" and handed him a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must also complete 55 rehabilitation days and 100 hours unpaid work. A 10 year sexual harm prevention order was also made and Scott will be on the sex offender's register for seven years.

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Alan Rothwell, of Heaton, kidnapped, robbed and tried to rape a woman in her 60s out enjoying a walk in a North Tyneside country park, but was jailed for less than nine years

It was an attack that sent waves of shock and fear across Tyneside.

When a woman walking alone in a the tranquil Rising Sun Country park was attacked by a sex predator in broad daylight an urgent manhunt was launched.

Thanks to the 63-year-old victim's bravery police were able to identify and arrest evil Alan Rothwell within days.

Rothwell, of Mowbray Street, Heaton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to attempted rape, kidnap, robbery and two counts of sexual assault at Newcastle Crown Court.

But today as he was sentenced for the March attack serial criminal Rothwell was locked up for just eight years and nine months, with an extended licence period of a further six years.

The sentence has sparked anger among sex attack victims who believe Rothwell should be kept off the streets for longer.

Wendy Forrester who was raped by evil double rapist Eric McKenna as she walked home, almost 40 years ago, said the victim will be living with the trauma of the attack long after Rothwell is freed.

The 60-year-old, who has waived her legal right to anonymity, said: "It is a short sentence, but it's also average. It hard enough to report and go to court without them getting a short sentence. Things need to change, there should be a minimum of 15 years.

"It's not something that you get over. She's going to have that fresh in her mind for the next 10 years and he will be walking the streets."

The victim had been enjoying a pleasant walk in the Rising Sun County Park, in Wallsend when she was attacked from behind by evil Rothwell.

The sex predator grabbed her so tightly she couldn't breathe before forcing her to the ground, pushing her hood over her head and forcefully trying to rape her.

The woman, 63, bravely tried to fight off career criminal Rothwell, who has 152 previous convictions and was wearing blue clinical gloves to carry out the attack. She helped to snare him by scratching him, meaning she had his DNA under her fingertips.

Judge Robert Spragg described the attack as "appalling" as he jailed Rothwell.

However, rape victim Gemma Redhead, from Newcastle, said the sentence sends out the wrong message to both victims and perpetrators of sex offences.

The 41-year-old said: "It's not a particularly positive message for other and future victims and also other perpetrators. That may seem like a reasonable sentence, but in reality you are looking at them serving half that. Then you are looking at four years for such a horrific crime.

"It feels like a slap on the wrist to the offender and a slap in the face for the victim."

Gemma, who has also waived her right to anonymity, suffered years of abuse at the hands of her violent partner, who went on to rape her at knifepoint in their home, in Cowgate, Newcastle.

In 2011 Philip Kirby was jailed for eight years with a five-year extended licence, for his attack on Gemma.

He was released after serving only four years, but was back in Newcastle Crown Court in 2015, having rung Gemma in breach of a restraining order.

Kirby was then returned to prison and told he will not be released from prison until the end of his licence in 2023.

Gemma fears short sentences like the one handed to Rothwell could put victims off reporting sex attacks, but she is urging women to continue coming forward

"The the whole situation, the ongoing court case, then finding out the sentence is all very traumatic," she said. "Some victims might think; 'was it worth putting myself through that?'

"But I would still like to push the message that it is worth it. You are taking back a little bit of strength and control from what's happened to you and you are also protecting other potential victims from these awful people. "

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A child rapist who thought he was untouchable has been branded an "arrogant predator" as he was jailed for 18 years.

James McEwen ruined the lives of two young girls by abusing them in separate attacks. Years later, they each plucked up the courage to report what he had done to them.

McEwen, 60, of Henley Gardens, Wallsend, continues to protest his innocence but a jury found him guilty of one count of rape, four counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child and he has now been locked up. He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders register and he also got a restraining order.

One of the victims, now an adult, said in a victim impact statement: "I've been robbed of my innocence and the pleasure of my first kiss and first romance. Just because he has been found guilty this doesn't provide any closure, the trauma continues to be with me.

"I have trust issues and for the most part I don't trust anyone I meet and I have a fear of being left alone with other people, especially men."

The other victim said what should have been the happiest moments of her life were "covered in a black cloud" because of McEwen's "selfish actions". She said: "I felt alone and misunderstood and trapped by silence." The woman added that she "will never forgive" McEwen for taking her innocence.

Judge Robert Spragg, at Newcastle Crown Court, told him: "You acted as an entitled, arrogant sexual predator, preying on these two girls. "Your arrogance was such you clearly felt untouchable. It's had an awful effect on them."

Sue Hirst, defending, said: "He continues to deny the offences. These offences go back 20 years now. He has worked his entire life. Probation say he is a low risk of general offending and a low risk of further sexual offending."

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A pervert claimed he accidentally ended up with child abuse images on his computer while downloading a Marvel film.

Police found dozens of indecent pictures and videos on Christopher Dyne's devices when they searched his home. But he claimed they got there by mistake while downloading the movie Thor. A jury rejected his account and found him guilty of making indecent images.

The software worker, who lost his job the day after being found guilty, has suffered in his local community after being named and shamed, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Police went to his home on Sedgemoor, Garth 16, Killingworth, North Tyneside, on the morning of August 3 2018 with a search warrant and seized various devices. Three hard drives contained indecent images of children and there was evidence he had searched for terms associated with those looking for child abuse material.

In total there were 85 of the most serious, category A images, 16 category B and seven category C. Elizabeth Muir, prosecuting, said: "He claimed any images must have appeared accidentally during the download of a film, Thor. He said he had accessed them and said he deleted them. He said he considered contacting police but didn't.

"The defendant's computer material had a number of films downloaded on them but in distinct files which would not be the case if he accidentally downloaded them with a film. There was no evidence of the film Thor having been downloaded at any time.

"He maintained that explanation at trial but it was rejected by the jury." Dyne also said he had cloned hard drives, which is why the images were on more than one but he couldn't explain why one of them had additional material on it.

The 40-year-old, who has no previous convictions, was found guilty of eight offences of making indecent images of children. He was sentenced to 18 months suspended for 18 months with 140 hours unpaid work. He must also sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "A dozen or more people have submitted testimonials about what he is really like. He has always been a man of good character and in employment.

"The pre sentence report says he is still considered suitable for rehabilitative intervention despite him maintaining his innocence and there are no concerns from social services.

"Since his conviction he lost his job the next day and he has become, in his words, a financial burden on his mother and someone who feels worthless. The police displayed his conviction on their Facebook page shortly afterwards and it's caused him a great deal of shame. Being named and shamed is a form of punishment in society.

"He is utterly terrified and has genuinely suffered during the period since his conviction."

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A brave rape victim brought her terrifying ordeal to an end when she managed to punch her attacker in the face.

The woman, whose identity is protected, had fallen asleep on a sofa in a flat after a night out, and woke up to find Dean Graham raping her.

Her blow to his face stopped the attack, but Graham then pretended nothing had happened and asked her why she had hit him.

Graham, 42, of Kirkley Drive in Ponteland, denied rape and sexual assault but was convicted by a jury after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor David Comb told the court: "Mr Graham took advantage of the situation in which he found himself, for his own sexual gratification.

"When she went to sleep on the living room sofa, he approached."

The victim had been celebrating her birthday in December 2018 and had gone to a friends house in Newcastle to spend the night.

Mr Comb said she woke up when she realised what was happening to her and added: "At that stage she punched him in the face, which did succeed in causing him to stop.

"She was shocked and distressed and commenced a search for her mobile phone.

"As she did that, he followed her around, pretending nothing had happened and asking why she had punched him in the face."

Mr Recorder Tony Hawks sentenced Graham to six years and ten months behind bars and said he must register as a sex offender for life.

The court heard Graham had previous convictions for violence and disorder, but none for sexual offences.

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A sexual predator who plied his underage victim with alcohol before abusing her has been jailed after police uncovered how he groomed her over a long period of time.

Arron Gray, of Sycamore Place, Killingworth, meticulously-groomed his young victim into believing she was in a relationship with him.

He would invite her to his home and plie her with alcohol before sexually abusing her – fully aware she was under the legal age of consent.

In 2018, a concerned adult discovered sexualised messages Gray had sent to his underage victim and reported him to the police.

An investigation was launched by Northumbria Police's Safeguarding Department with specialist officers providing wrap-around care to support the victim and Gray was arrested.

The 21-year-old denied the allegations put to him but was later charged with six offences of sexual activity with a child and the case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court for trial.

In court, he was found guilty of all six offences.

He was sentenced to two and a half years behind bars.

Gray was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will have to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Detective Sergeant Amanda Harland led the investigation and has today praised the bravery of the victim and hopes it can help encourage others to speak out by saying: "know the law - there is no grey area when it comes to sexual activity with a child."

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Paedophile Keith Hollinshead has been locked up for 10 years after sexually abusing a young boy. The 65-year-old carried out the offences more than three decades ago.

But his seedy offending only came to light when the victim went to Staffordshire Police in 2018 after confiding in his wife. The OAP was convicted of six serious child-sex offences following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

The court heard that the abuse lasted for five years.

Read: Dad-of-three hurled fearsome knife on roof in bid to avoid arrest

Sentencing Hollinshead, of Water Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Recorder Anthony Warner said: "What started with stroking his hair, his arms and his legs moved to touching his genitals under his clothing. He described your hand 'like a crab' moving down."

The victim realised the horrors of the offending when later attending sex education lessons at school. It has left him feeling suicidal.

Recorder Warner told Hollinshead: "I cannot say that there's no risk, or future risk, of you committing another serious offence. He said nothing to anyone for many years. He finally spoke to his wife in 2018. The police were called.

"While he was giving his evidence in court the pain he had suffered, and still suffers, was palpable. Even now there's rarely a day when he doesn't think of what you did. He said he felt worthless and it became a downward spiral. He has attempted to end his life.

"It left him feeling dirty making him want to scrub his skin clean. His wife has started to enable him to feel that he should be loved."

Police have welcomed the conviction and sentence.

Detective Constable Diane Sproston said: “I want to pay tribute to the victim and the tremendous courage and bravery he has showed in bringing this case to the courts. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to bring those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice, whilst ensuring the victims are given the support they need.”

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A pervert with previous for having indecent images of children made suspicious searches on secret devices he failed to tell police about.

David Carey was subject to strict restrictions on his internet activity after being caught with child abuse images in 2017. As a result of that conviction, he was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which included a condition he had to notify police about any internet enabled device he was using.

But he breached that order seven times in December last year by using computers at Whitley Bay Library without telling police. He came to the attention of staff when he asked about some children's audio books and told them he was using their computers as the police were involved with him and had removed his devices.

A further breach was revealed on December 14 when police responded to a 999 call by him. He was found by a PC sitting on a bench and as the officer approached him she noticed him putting a pink iPod in his pocket.

A search of his home revealed another iPod and neither of them had been registered with police. Jemima Stephenson, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "There was a search history on both devices indicating he may have been trying to access child pornography. The searches included 'extreme incest', 'eight-year-old young' and 'extreme young'."

The court heard Carey, 39, of Langdale Close, Longbenton, North Tyneside has 14 previous convictions. In April 2017 he was convicted of 13 offences relating to indecent or prohibited images of children and in December last year - days before the latest offences - he was convicted of breaching the sexual harm prevention order after refusing to provide a passcode for a phone.

For the latest offences, he pleaded guilty to two breaches of the sexual harm prevention order and was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years and must do a sex offenders treatment programme. Judge Penny Moreland told him: "I'm not sure if you have grasped, when you search for indecent images, you are looking for pictures of real children who are the victims of sexual abuse in order for you to gain pleasure from it."

Joe Culley, defending, said Carey had completed a sex offenders treatment programme as part of his sentence in 2017. He added that his mother died last year, which had a "profound effect" on him.

Mr Culley said: "He lives an extremely isolated existence and a persecuted existence. Those who live near him know of his offending history and his home has been targeted and he has sought to move away. He has family in other areas who have disowned him. He has a referral for an autism assessment."

Description

A sex predator has been jailed for 11 years after two women woke up next to the stranger with no memory of what he had done to them.

Salahuddin Mohammad targeted two victims within a short space of time in Newcastle city centre. Both were heavily intoxicated and were taken advantage of by the brute, who was infected with Hepatitis B and didn't wear a condom.

When police discovered medication at Mohammad's flat it was not clear initially if he was being treated for HIV or Hepatitis B. While he did not pass on the infection, the victims faced an anxious wait to find out if they had contracted any diseases.

Mohammad, 29, of Westgate Road, Newcastle, was found guilty of raping the two women after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court. Jailing him for 11 years, of which he must serve two-thirds, and ordering him to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, Judge Stephen Earl said: "Each of them mentions the Hepatitis B test and it put them through additional stress.

"Each of them have described in significant detail the trauma this offending has caused them. It's had a significant effect on the lives of each of these two women.

"Each of these is a horrific act of sexual predatory behaviour. I can only hope and pray they can put this matter behind them, that they can begin to rebuild their lives with the help of loved ones, now these matters are finished."

The first victim, a student, had been on a night out in Newcastle city centre in 2018 and woke up the next morning in a strange flat next to stranger Mohammad. She could tell she'd had sex but had no memory of meeting him or going to his flat.

Later that month, while the investigation into that was ongoing, another young woman reported to police that something similar had happened to her. She had also been out in the city centre and woke up the next day in unfamiliar surroundings next to a man she didn't know. She had a vague memory of having sex but no memory of meeting him or going to his home.

Anthony Dunne, prosecuting, said at an earlier hearing: "The prosecution case at trial was that both victims were highly intoxicated at the time they must have met the defendant and while there was no evidence as to how they became so intoxicated, the defendant took advantage of their situation by taking them back to his flat and having sex with them when they were in no position to consent.

"In neither case did he use a condom. The defendant was receiving treatment for a serious infection at the time and there was therefore the risk of that infection being transmitted to both victims. Both were tested for that infection, causing significant distress and anxiety. Fortunately in both cases the infection was not transmitted."

Mr Dunne added: "The prosecution concede it can't be said on the evidence the defendant was responsible for their intoxication."

The first victim said in a statement read to the court: "This horrible crime has had an immense impact on my life. I had to have an intimate examination and had to discuss the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases and I was vaccinated for Hepatitis B.

"I was later told by police medication was found in the offender's property for Hepatitis B or HIV. I went to a sexual health clinic with police to see if there was an option to treat it if I did have HIV but I was told it would be too late.

"I waited three long months to find he only had Hepatitis B, which I had thankfully been vaccinated against. The waiting caused me considerable stress and I hardly had a good night's sleep, thinking I might have contracted a potentially life-changing disease. I have had suicidal thoughts. For a long period afterwards I have had nightmares."

The victim, who said her university studies were impacted, added: "My dad sat through the trial and heard things no parent should ever have to hear. The trial was an extremely stressful experience. I don't usually get emotional yet I found myself crying in a room full of strangers while giving my evidence in the trial. It left me feeling incredibly vulnerable and I felt like I was the one on trial."

The second victim said: "For a long time after this crime I was in a state of shock and it was a humiliating process for the first few days afterwards, from the medical examination to the statement giving. To be told the male who did this to me had Hepatitis B, I was horrified and I was worried until I got the all clear. This only added to the anxiety I was experiencing daily.

"I lost weight and didn't want to see anyone. My life changed drastically following this incident. I used to be confident, sociable and enjoyed going out with my friends. I now have major trust issues."

Prosecutors are applying for a sexual harm prevention order banning Mohammad from being alone with any female under the influence of alcohol. Mohammad's sentencing hearing was adjourned until later this month for Judge Stephen Earl to consider how long he should be jailed for.

Annelie Haugstad, defending, said he left school in Sudan at 14 and was forced to leave after protesting against the government.