Latest Offenders Northumberland

Description

A sick sex offender used a hidden camera to capture hundreds of indecent images, including images of a child.

Kevin Green was found to have almost 400 indecent images when police seized his electronic devices, a court heard.

Now the 60-year-old has been jailed at Newcastle Crown Court and must sign the sex offender register. His actions will also cost him his job, the court heard.

The court heard that Green's victim found the concealed camera which she believed must have been placed there at least six months prior.

The court heard that the camera had been capturing footage which could be accessed via an app on Green's iPad. And when police examined his devices they found one Category B video and 366 Category C images, including photos and videos of his victim.

He originally pleaded guilty to two counts of taking indecent images of children and denied two counts of voyeurism. However, he later changed his plea and pleaded guilty to all four counts.

The court was told that Green is "ashamed" and "disgusted" by his behaviour and "can't believe what he has done". He has worked in a high pressure job for many years, however, he will now lose the job due to his conviction, the court heard.

Judge Tim Gittins sentenced Green, of Prestdale Avenue, Blyth, to 13 months in prison. He must sign the sex offender register for 10 years and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A predator subjected a vulnerable woman with the mental age of a young child to an "appalling" sex attack after luring her away from her family in a pub.

The victim, who has obvious and profound learning difficulties, was taken around the back of a pub where bins were stored and, in shocking scenes caught on CCTV, he subjected her to a sex attack.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim's family have been left disgusted and devastated by Newton's actions. Now he has been jailed for more than 11 years after admitting sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice.

Anne Richardson, prosecuting, told the court: "She has learning difficulties, which are obvious to anyone who encountered her." Experts say the victim has the mental age of a young child and she does not have the capacity to consent to sexual activity.

On the evening of the attack, her family took her to a pub to allow her to enjoy a social setting while under their care and supervision. She was dancing and Miss Richardson said: "It would appear that the defendant was watching her dance and the complainant started to speak to him.

"A doorman in the pub noticed the defendant and the complainant walking round the corner, which he thought was unusual. At about 9.30pm her family noticed that she was missing from the pub, and frantically began to search for her.

"She eventually returned to the pub and told her family that she had been sexually assaulted. CCTV was examined and showed that the complainant and the defendant had walked together from the pub and round the corner, to where the bins were."

Once there, Newton sexually assaulted her in various ways and had sex with her. The entirety of the sexual offending was captured by the CCTV.

Miss Richardson added: "Once at the pub door, the defendant briefly stated to the complainant’s family that it was his fault that she was outside, before leaving, and the complainant told her family what had happened, albeit she said that the defendant had told her not to say anything,

"She told her family that the defendant had suggested taking her outside for a cigarette, taking her hand, and although she had asked him if she could go back to her parents several times, he refused. The police were called immediately, and CCTV was viewed."

Newton, 61 of Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, who said he had consumed ten pints of alcohol, repeatedly denied sexual activity when quizzed by police, even when faced with DNA evidence. However he eventually pleaded guilty.

As he was sentenced, the victim's dad said in an impact statement: "Since the assault I've noticed how withdrawn she is. She's very wary of communicating with others, which is sad to see.

"As a family we are disgusted with what that man has done to our daughter. She is extremely vulnerable and we feel he preyed on her to take her away from her family when he could to abuse her. It's had a great impact on our family."

He branded Newton's initial denials of what he had done as "cruel and thoughtless" and added: "That man has tainted our trust in people.

"The fact he has sexually abused (the victim), who clearly has learning difficulties shows what he is capable of. I will never forgive what he has done to my daughter and he should be held accountable for his actions."

Passing sentence, Judge Amanda Rippon said: "I've seen a lot but I've rarely seen something as shameful as this. Your impact on that young woman is significant and I suspect, sadly, will be lifelong."

Regarding the victim's family, the judge added: "I know they will feel they let her down. They didn't.

"They took her somewhere safe, that should have been safe. Unfortunately on that night, instead of being met by love and kindness of people in the pub she met a predator, someone who was prepared to put his sexual gratification above all else."

Newton was jailed for 11 years and three months, of which he will serve two-thirds before he can be released. He must also sign the sex offenders register for life and was given an indefinite restraining order.

Ian Cook, defending, said the only mitigation was Newton's guilty plea. He added: "I concede these are appalling offences. He is quite rightly shameful of his conduct on this occasion and has demonstrated some remorse."

Description

A sick pervert who groomed a child by offering her sweets and then raped and sexually assaulted her is likely to die in prison after being handed a 20-year prison sentence.

Thomas Hobbs, 78, of Ovington, Northumberland, appeared before Judge Penny Moreland at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday September 30. He had been convicted of a string of vile child sex offences. Hobbs was convicted of 10 offences, which included at rape, sexual assaults and encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity at the same court in July.

Judge Moreland passed a custodial sentence of 20 years - this is to be made up of a 19-year jail term extended for a year due to the danger Hobbs poses to the public. Hobbs will not be considered for parole until he has served two-thirds of his sentence.

Hobbs will also be placed on the sex offenders' register for life, and has been made subject to a restraining order preventing him from contact with his victim.

He was told he will "in all likelihood" die in prison. Speaking to Hobbs, who appeared in court via videolink from Durham Prison, Judge Moreland said: "The jury convicted you of a series of serious sexual offences against [the victim]." The judge also told Hobbs the jury was satisfied he "abused her sexually and in the most serious way imaginable".

Judge Moreland said the offending had been aggravated by a number of factors including that he had gonorrhoea at the time of the offences. The judge said the defendant had begun to groom her, "by offering sweets" and then later asked her "can you give us a feel down there".

Judge Moreland then detailed the nature of the horrific offences and the impact they had on the victim. Judge Moreland added: "What you have done has had a substantial impact on her, and it has had an impact on her ability to trust and to build relationships with adult men. You have caused her immense anxiety and have affected her personality in ways she has described."

The judge said she had "no doubt" Hobbs was a dangerous offender.

The court had earlier heard a victim impact statement in which the girl - who has the automatic right to lifelong anonymity under law - said: "The abuse I have suffered has had a massive impact on my life. Firstly it has impacted my trust in men, particularly older men. There are a few males in my life but I do not feel I can build relationships with them."

She said the Hobbs' abuse had also led to her developing social anxiety. She said when her mother had told her the jury's verdict - convicting Hobbs that: "I cried and hugged my friend. It was such a relief that it was all over."

Defending, barrister Steven Reed offered no mitigation though did reference that Hobbs takes medication for a heart condition.

Description

A Northumberland man has been jailed for carrying out sexual offences against two underage girls and possessing child sexual abuse images.

Callum Hall chatted to one underage girl on social media and "pressured" her into sending him naked pictures of herself. He then coerced the girl into having sex with him and made comments saying he would show people her pictures if she didn't comply.

Hall committed offences against a second underage girl as well, and led her into woods before gripping her neck and asking her to perform a sexual act on him. The 21-year-old was also found to be in possession of indecent images of children and extreme pornography - some images he had depicted babies being abused.

On Friday, Hall, of Newlyn Drive, Cramlington, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of making indecent images, three counts of sexual activity with a child, and breach of a sexual risk order. The offences were committed when Hall was under the age of 18, but was significantly older than the victims.

The court heard that Hall met one of the girls on Snapchat, and "pressured" her to send him naked pictures and videos of herself - which she did. Glenn Gatland, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was pressuring her to send pictures of herself. She complied for him [and sent pictures] on a live Snapchat feed."

What the girl didn't know, was that Hall had used software to save the pictures and videos and then told her to meet him for sex, otherwise he would "show people". The court was told that the girl then met Hall on three occasions and they had sex.

During separate offending, Hall struck up a conversation with a second girl and "encouraged her to walk into the woods". Mr Gatland said: "He put his hands around her neck."

Mr Gatland said that while in the woods, the girl fell over and cut her hand, with some of her blood staining Hall's shirt. He then asked the girl to carry out a sexual act on him as "compensation" - which ultimately did not happen.

The court was told that between 2017 and 2022, Hall was also in possession of indecent images of children. He had 67 category A images, which included babies being sexually abused. He also had 78 category B, and 63 category C images. He had also used "key words" to search online for child sexual abuse images and also had extreme pornography in his collection.

At one stage, Hall was made subject of a sexual risk order - which involved certain prohibitions. But he breached that order when he struck up a conversation with a teenage girl on Snapchat in 2022. His breach came to light when the girl's mother saw his messages and reported it.

Shaun Routledge, defending, said Hall demonstrates a level of immaturity and "didn't have much of a start in life". He said: "He has difficulties that seem to be [related to] ADHD and autism. He has high levels of anxiety and poor decision making."

Mr Routledge said that despite the age gap between Hall and his victims, he was "operating nearer their age than his actual age" and lives in an "isolated world". He added Hall was "extremely remorseful" and that a pre-sentence report advised he would be "extremely vulnerable" in a prison environment.

Sentencing Hall, Recorder Mark McKone KC said his sexual offending was "persistent" and jailed him for 26 months. He was made subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender register for 10 years.

Description

Harley King, aged 19 from Newcastle and and Ben Jennings, aged 20, from Cramlington, in Northumberland were just 17 and 18 respectively when they attacked the woman in 2022.

Following a trial in June, King was found guilty of three offences two charges of raping a woman aged 16 and over and one charge of voyeurism or recording a private act. Jennings was convicted of two charges of rape of a woman aged 16 and over, and one sexual assault charge of a female aged 16.

Description

A bus pervert left three schoolgirls terrified and traumatised after targeting them on the top deck.

Barry Aldcroft zoned in on the 15-year-olds at Haymarket bus station, in Newcastle, talking to them before following them onto a bus and sitting near them. During the journey, they noticed he was looking at them while carrying out a sex act on himself.

When the disgusted teenagers decided to get off the bus early, he then touched one of them on the bottom as she went to retrieve her phone charger. Now the pervert, who was already subject to a court order for trying to communicate sexually with what he thought was a 14-year-old online, has been jailed.

Newcastle Crown Court the three 15-year-old girls had been shopping in Newcastle and one of their mother's decided to let them have a bit longer in town and get the bus home together. They were at the Haymarket bus station in the middle of the afternoon when they were approached by Aldcroft, who asked if they had a lighter and was told they didn't. His contact with the girls put him in breach of his sexual harm prevention order.

The girls got on a bus which was heading to Blyth and went upstairs and sat at the back. Aldcroft followed them and despite there being plenty of empty seats, sat just in front of them, on the opposite side.

As the bus headed towards Cramlington, one of the girls noticed Aldcroft kept looking at them and she swapped seats with her friend as she felt uncomfortable. Another of the girls noticed him pat the seat next to him as if inviting them to sit there and he beckoned them over with his hand.

Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said that Aldcroft spread his legs and was putting his hand down his pants and touching himself while looking in their direction.

Because of his behaviour, they decided to get off the bus and when one of them realised she'd left her phone charger behind and went to get it, Aldcroft poked her bottom. Mr Pallister said that the girl turned to look at him and Aldcroft smiled at her while he was exposing himself.

When the girls got downstairs on the bus they were in a "distressed state" and told the driver what had happened. They said he was still on the bus and the driver rang 999.

Aldcroft, 38, formerly of Cowpen Road, Blyth, tried to claim he had just been "adjusting himself". After getting off the bus, he punched a man in the face because he didn't like the way he was looking at him, having learned what he had been accused of doing.

In victim impact statements, the girls said it affected their education and independence. One them said she was left struggling to cope and had problems using buses as a result of what happened. Her friend added that she struggled to sleep for weeks afterwards and had nightmares about it in which she would see the pervert. She added that she still doesn't feel safe on buses.

The girl who was sexually assaulted said she was an "innocent child" when she fell victim to Aldcroft, adding that as a result of what happened: "I couldn't leave the house without someone with me. It took away my independence. I've had panic attacks and anxiety." She added in words directed at Aldcroft: "I hope you are never able to do this to another person."

Her mum added: "You took away a huge part of her life before it had even begun. She should have been safe on public transport."

Aldcroft was convicted by a jury of exposure, sexual assault, sexual activity in the presence of a child and breaching a sexual harm prevention order and he admitted assault by beating on the man. He was jailed for four years and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and will be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Judge Penny Moreland told him: "What you have done has impacted the lives of those girls in a way they may never recover from."

The court heard Aldcroft has 11 previous convictions. In May 2021 he was given a community order for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child - a decoy profile purporting to be a 14-year-old girl to whom he sent a picture of his penis. He got another community order in 2022 for breaching that sexual harm prevention order by speaking to his neighbour's children.

Penny Hall, defending, said Aldcroft suffered a brain injury when he was younger and that makes him vulnerable.

Description

25-year-old Rhyss Laws attempted to convince a teenage girl to engage in sexual activity before using force and exposing himself at an address in Ashington on November 19, 2024.

The victim escaped from Laws before reporting the attack to Northumbria Police the following day.

Laws, of Storey Crescent, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault and exposure at Newcastle Crown Court last month.

He also admitted offences committed in the Teesside area including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, drink driving, driving without insurance and criminal damage.

Laws was jailed for 45 months and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

He had previously been jailed on charges of sexual assault and assault following a street attack on a woman in Ashington in October 2017.

Detective Inspector Andrew Doyle of Northumbria Police said: “Laws is a dangerous predator and our communities are undoubtedly a safer place as a result of this sentence.

“The victim was subjected to a terrifying ordeal, and I hope this process gives her the closure she needs to start to move on with her life.

“We hope this sentence sends a clear message to victims. You will be listened to, you will be supported, and we will do everything in our power to secure justice on your behalf.”

Description

A sex offender was warned he is a "marked man" after breaching a court order aimed at controlling his deviant behaviour on Valentine's Day.

Paul Carmon was made subject to a community order for an attempted child sex offence in 2018. As a result of that he was made subject to sex offender registration with one of the requirements being he was not to use pseudonyms.

But on February 14 this year, he used the names Paul Nook and Paul Smith while talking online to what appeared to be a 12-year-old girl but was actually a decoy profile being run by a law enforcement officer. The conversation took place on Chat Avenue and Snapchat.

Carmon, 43, of Wynyard Drive, Bedlington, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements by using the aliases but there was no suggestion he had communicated sexually with the profile. Recorder Tony Hawks, at Newcastle Crown Court, said: "He is doing his best to get locked up."

The judge sentenced him to six months suspended for two years with rehabilitation and he must sign the sex offenders register for seven years. Recorder Hawks told him: "You have a serious problem. Unless you address it, it's going to end up with you going to prison, do you understand?

"I've read a report about you that says you did well on your community order but the fundamental purpose of that order was to stop you trying to communicate with underage girls. You have done it again.

"You are a marked man Mr Carmon, do you understand that? You are not going to get away with doing it so you are going to have to sit down with the professionals and work out some strategy to stop doing this, unless you want to go to prison.

"I'm not going to tell you how to live your life but the next time this happens it's bound to be immediate custody."

Vic Laffey, defending, said: "He is an intelligent man and has acted a bit recklessly."

Description

A youth justice worker engaged in a sexual relationship with a teenager she was overseeing while he was going through proceedings for, "very serious offending", a court was told.

Jade Newbould today (Tuesday, March 5) received a 12-month prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court for what a judge described as the highly "inappropriate and unprofessional" conduct, in breach of the trust placed in those performing her role.

The now 29-year-old woman, of previous good character, admitted five counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, at a plea hearing in December.

She returned to the court for sentencing hearing today, following preparation of a background report by the Probation Service, and backed by character testimonials presented for the hearing.

Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said at the time of her offending, Newbould was a youth justice worker employed by an outside agency and working, on a one-to-one basis, with young people charged with criminal offences.

Miss Dowling said the defendant embarked in a sexual relationship with a male teenager who was on bail ahead of trial at the crown court for, very serious offending.

Her offending took place during 25-hours-a-week activity with the child, permitted under the auspices of his bail conditions.

Despite her efforts to keep their relationship covert, the nature of it came to the attention of others who reported their suspicions to police, which led to Newboulds arrest.

When the allegation was put to her, she made no reply other than to deny the inappropriate relationship.

She was bailed and further interviewed several months later, but still made no comment, and Miss Dowling said the youth involved declined to assist the police inquiry or make any complaint.

But analysis of items recovered from her home and particularly of her phone messaging, plus chat logs to prison after the youth was sentenced, enabled the police to bring the charges.

Miss Dowling said although those working in the position of the defendant were told in no uncertain terms only to communicate with the youths they were dealing with on their work phone, the defendant used her own phone to exchange more than 17,000 messages with the teenager over a two-month period.

The prosecutor said among them, there were, clearly numerous conversations of a sexual nature.

She told the court: Its the prosecutions case that she knew she could not initiate sexual relations with him, but she said it appears the defendant, encouraged him to make the advances to her.

Miss Dowling said Newboulds messaging progressed from being flirtatious to discussing sexual touching.

After they engaged in kissing the young person told her they should, keep it between themselves.

In response Newbould told him: You dont need to tell me that, Im risking more than you.

But she told him they were a perfect match and they discussed having oral sex, some of which was said to have taken place during visits to the cinema where she would take him after his court hearing finished for the day.

Miss Dowling said the defendant discussed with her young client that he could go to her house for sexual activity and mentioned contraception methods they should use.

She would pick him up and take him there, where the defendant referred to them, being at it like rabbits.

Newbould even told the youth she loved him and had his first name tattooed on her stomach.

Following one encounter she told him it was the best job she had ever had as she, got to have sex with a young person.

Miss Dowling said following the young offender's imprisonment after his conviction, Newbould would visit him in custody and transfer money to his prison account, even though her professional dealings with him should, by then, have effectively stopped.

She left her employment a month after the youths imprisonment, aware inquiries were by then taking place into her activities with him.

Miss Dowling added: The prosecution submits there was a significant degree of planning and grooming behaviour, thousands of messages, flirting and gaining his trust, even before any sexual activity took place.

Brian Hegarty, for Newbould, told the court: Can I acknowledge from her how wrong her actions were and she clearly accepts that.

She looks back on her actions with shame and embarrassment and she has distanced herself from this relationship and conceded what it was.

Shes now in a position where she has lost a lot as a consequence of her offending.

Shes lost a career she was in and lost her good name.

Describing her as, a useful and productive member of society, Mr Hegarty said Newbould has had the prospect of custody hanging over her since she was first arrested and interviewed.

Mr Hegarty said the defendant suffered some upheaval in her life in her teenage years and was at an emotional low ebb at the time she first encountered the young person involved in these events.

She was in a depressed state through her life experience and was vulnerable to the flattery of the young person involved.

There was an abundance of messages, thats abundantly clear, and its correct to say there should have been no personal contact between the young person using the private mobile phone of the defendant.

Mr Hegarty said there was no evidence of her, hatching a plan or engineering a situation where she could prey on the young person concerned.

He said the young offender involved, played an active role between the parties.

Mr Hegarty said there was no evidence of that young person coming across as, emotionally immature.

But Mr Hegarty said since the offences were committed the defendant has, moved on considerably and has found herself in new line of work where she has progressed well and is highly thought of by those employing her.

Judge Tim Gittins told Newbould, of Orchard Way, Bedlington, that it was natural she should foster a working relationship with her young client.

But he said, that should remain professional, distant and objective, knowing, "the significant emotional and psychological pressure" the young person she was dealing with would have been feeling, approaching trial for a serious matter.

Its clear that relatively quickly you began to use your own mobile device rather than your work mobile.

The large number of messages, more than 17,000, demonstrate the extent of that unprofessional and inappropriate contact, regularly highly sexual in content and its clear you engaged in planning sexual activity, which occurred.

All the information demonstrates a determination to prolong and persist in the inappropriate relationship.

A moment's rational thought in your professional life should have told you it was wholly inappropriate given the age of the victim, the disparity in ages and the nature of your professional contact with him.

Despite accepting the probation report opinion that she represents a low-risk of future similar offending, Judge Gittins said people with a responsibility for children and young people should realise only an immediate term of custody can be justified given the nature of the offending.

Imposing the 12-month prison sentence, he also made Newbould the subject of registration as a sex offender for ten years.

She will also be barred for life from working with young or vulnerable people.

Description

A baby-faced child rapist has been branded a danger and locked up.

Karl Kingston subjected a youngster to horrific abuse which led to her plucking up the courage to tell her mum by giving her a note. Now Kingston, 18, of Ashington, Northumberland, who admitted rape and sexual assaults, has been sentenced for his offending at Newcastle Crown Court.

Michael Bunch, prosecuting, said the victim reported trying to push Kingston off but he was too big and she was unable to stop him. After finding the strength to tell her family what had happened to her, she said she was "angry and didn't want it to happen again".

Kingston was found to have a bag in his wardrobe containing various items including sex toys and two pairs of adult knickers. He had also searched the internet for child rape material.

The girl's mother said in a victim impact statement: "[She] threw me a note which would change our lives forever. I was in complete shock.

"My life went from perfect to a nightmare. What you have done to my baby girl is unforgiveable. She's petrified of you coming to kill her. You haunt her dreams at night.

"I've had to sit for hours reassuring her he won't get her, while she's breaking her heart in fear of what he could do. I will never forgive or forget what you have done to our family."

Kingston pleaded guilty to five counts of rape and five of assault by penetration. He was locked up for ten years with an extended licence period of a further five years. He will also be subject to indefinite sex offender registration and a sexual harm prevention order.

Judge Tim Gittins said Kingston may have signs of autism and added: "There is a lack of remorse or awareness of the seriousness of what you did that raise real concerns for your future conduct."

The judge said Kingston poses a significant risk of committing further, similar offences and is therefore assessed as being a dangerous offender. Peter Schofield, defending, said Kingston had been cooperative with the authorities about what he had done.

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A rape victim has today revealed the devastating impact the sick attack had on her life

The woman has bravely opened her heart to talk about how sick sex offender Karl Paul Newson, from Northumberland, has had a massive impact on her life after his devastating attack. It took Newson's victim a year to find the courage to tell anyone what had happened to her.

Now thanks to her bravery Newson, 27, has been jailed for more than eight years after a jury found him guilty of rape. And today his victim, whose identity is protected by law, has told how she ended up missing out on her life because of Newson's vile actions.

She said: "I was getting in trouble as a result of what he did. It's ruined a big part of my life. I don't go out, all my curtains are always closed and I don't answer the door."

But it was not until the following year that she was able to tell her mum.

"I waited a while then reported it," she said. "Me and my mam were having a chat and it just came out. I just told her, it was a relief and I went to the police the next day. It did help massively."

But Newson, of Morven Terrace, Ashington, denied the offence, meaning his victim had to go through a trial before seeing him convicted.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him guilty of one count of rape. And last month he was jailed for eight-and-a-half years, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention order, and an indefinite Restraining Order..

Det Con John Harland, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, led the investigation.

He has today praised the victim for helping to put Newson behind bars, and urged others suffering in silence to come forward.

He said: “Firstly, and most importantly, I’d like to offer my thanks to the victim for her bravery and courage throughout the entirety of this case.

“Coming forward, having to re-live those experiences and contribute as part of a trial and court proceedings was not easy, however her bravery and desire for justice ultimately won.

“I want to thank her for her dignity and her compassion for others and wholeheartedly hope that this sentence gives her a sense of peace. This case shows that it is never too late to speak up and that justice is possible, no matter how much time has passed.

“If you’ve been suffering in silence, now is the time to speak up – justice can and will be served.”

Description

A predator who stole a young girl’s childhood has been jailed for 22 years – thank to his victim’s bravery.

Martin Richards, who is HIV positive, subjected a schoolgirl to multiple rapes over a two-year period and was on Monday, brought to justice for his horrific actions.

The 50-year-old paedophile manipulated his victim into keeping quiet but was eventually caught out when she found the courage to confide in her mother, who immediately contacted police.

An investigation was launched by officers from Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding department and former prison officer Richards was arrested in March this year.

He was swiftly charged with a string of offences and remanded in custody, but, desperate to get the case dropped, sent a number of letters to the victim’s family.

Richards, of Windsor Terrace, Choppington, later appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault on a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act and perverting the court of justice.

However, he denied rape, sexual assault and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity but was found guilty by a jury after standing trial.

On Monday, Richards appeared back at the same court where he was jailed for 22 years and must serve two thirds of his sentence behind bars.

He was also issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, Restraining Order and must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Description

A rapist who attacked a schoolgirl in the woods as she pleaded for him to stop has been jailed.

Connor Pearson-Hartley forced himself on the teenager, leaving her traumatised and with scratches on her arm. He admitted a sexual assault and denied rape but jurors found him guilty.

Now the 20-year-old, of Cramlington, Northumberland, has been jailed at Newcastle Crown Court. As he was locked up the victim said in a statement how she was left feeling "dirty" by the prolonged ordeal.

She said: "The thing I remember so vividly was when I eventually got home, going in the bath and feeling dirty, even once I had come out. I felt like my body didn't belong to me."

She added that the significance of losing her virginity in such horrific circumstances has since hit her, adding: "I can't understand why it happened because I pleaded and pleaded for it to stop.

"At school, when we learned about consent, we learned about the positive sides of it and they stop immediatey. He didn't stop. It took a really long time for me to realise it was not my fault. I did everything I could to stop him."

She added: "I would cry myself to sleep because I knew as soon as I fell asleep I would relive it again and again. I would wake up screaming in fear of it happening again and I developed panic attacks."

She went on to say: "At (my age) all you are worried about is playing with your friends and watching silly rom coms. That evening everything changed.

"I still can't wipe the feeling of being dirty. When I found out he was being sentenced I could finally breathe."

Describing the attack, Glenn Gatland, prosecuting, said: "He tried to kiss her. She turned away but he grabbed her left arm, leaving four scratches on her forearm. He tried to kiss her again and put his hand under her top and down her pants.

"He kept unzipping her jeans and she pulled them back up. He took hold of her hand and moved it to his boxer shorts. He tried to take her further into the woods and pulled his pants down." He then sexually assaulted her and raped her despite her saying "no".

The victim eventually managed to run away and Pearson-Hartley was later arrested. Pearson-Hartley, who was 17 at the time, of Kendal Drive, Cramlington, pleaded guilty to a sexual assault and was found guilty of rape.

He was jailed for four-and-a-half years and must sign the sex offenders register for life and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and restraining order for five years.

Judge Penny Moreland told him: "What happened was a prolonged detention and a sustained attack. What you did to her was painful and it had a serious impact on her.

"You robbed her of that stage of her childhood and you robbed her of the opportunity to have a first sexual experience to be something of her choosing and not something forced upon her."

Jessica Slaughter, defending, said the case has effected his mental health and he has attempted suicide. She added that it has also had a life-changing effect on his family and has impacted his younger siblings.

Description

A paedophile who sexually abused two schoolgirls, robbing them of their childhood, has been jailed for 25 years.

Brian Clark, now 83, was handed the sentence after his brave victims came forward to report his non-recent offending.

Frightened and confused, both victims stayed quiet and attempted to move forward with their lives.

But the impact of Clark’s abuse continued to haunt them throughout their adult life and in 2019, specialist officers from Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department were contacted.

Officers launched an investigation and arrested Clark, of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

He was later charged with 13 offences, including nine counts of rape, gross indecency, and indecent assault.

Clark denied all offences and the case was sent to trial.

Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court last month he was found guilty of all charges. On July 17, at the same court, a judge heard heartbreaking statements from both victims.

The judge sentenced Clark to 25 years behind bars. He must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Detective Sergeant Jaclyn Younger, who led the investigation, said: “Brian Clark groomed his victims and thought he would die a free man, never believing they would speak out about the abuse.

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"No always means no" - That's the message from officers after a rapist was jailed for 15 years.

Martin Lee, 40, previously of Hexham, forced his victim to have sex with him despite her frequent pleas for him to stop. Last year, his brave victim came forward and reported the abuse to police. Lee was subsequently arrested and charged with rape.

He initially denied his guilt but on the day that his trial was due to begin at Newcastle Crown Court in April, he changed his plea to guilty and admitted three offences – including two counts of rape.

And on Friday, July 14, he was back at the same court where a judge sentenced him to 15 years behind bars, placed him on the sex offenders' register for life and handed him a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim.

Detective Constable Lynsey Oliver, from Northumbria Police's safeguarding unit, led the investigation. She said: "Lee's offending had started to follow a very dangerous pattern – more than once he was told unwaveringly no by his victim, who was clearly distressed and attempted to fight him off.

"He is a dangerous man and our area is most certainly safer with him behind bars. I want to praise the survivor for contacting police and for continuing to assist with the investigation, trial and all court proceedings. It is thanks to her that a predatory man is behind bars. I sincerely hope her bravery and this sentence will give other people the confidence to come forward and speak with police."

She added: "I hope this sentence serves as a stark warning to those with an unlawfully blurred view on consent that no always means no. If a person tells you no, attempts to push you away, freezes, or very clearly becomes distressed, it is clear that they have not given you consent to touch them.

"Someone consenting to go on a date with you, allowing you in their home or even being in a relationship with you absolutely does not equate to automatic sexual consent – no scenario or relationship does. No one should ever have to endure this type of assault and support is available from our officers and the many fantastic charities we work closely with.

"If you have ever been a victim of any type of sexual assault, we're here for you."