Locations
Ryde Terrace, Dunston, Gateshead, Tyne And Wear, NE11
Description
A North East paedophile has been jailed for 14 years after being convicted of raping a child.
Kenneth Dick, of Ryde Terrace, Dunston, Gateshead, was charged with four sexual offences in March 2023.
The charges included rape of a child, sexual assault, engaging in sexual activity with a child and causing a child to watch a sexual act.
Police interviewed Dick after a complaint was made by a schoolgirl who had disclosed the abuse to a family member.
When interviewed by police he denied all allegations, but a jury trial found him guilty of all four offences in November last year, for which he was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday (March 17).
The sentence means that 66 year-old Dick will spend 14 years locked up with a year on licence once he is released.
Detective Constable Claire Ashurst of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department led the investigation and praised the victim for her “courage and composure” in coming forward.
She said: “It is thanks to her bravery in disclosing what happened to police that a dangerous offender like Dick is now behind bars and will be unable to harm anyone else.
“I absolutely welcome this sentence and hope it provides this courageous individual in this case with some comfort in knowing he’s now locked up for a significant period.”
She added: “I hope this conviction serves as a stark warning to those who think they can take advantage of a vulnerable person – we won’t tolerate this type of behaviour and there are serious and lifelong consequences.
“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 in collaboration with day-in, day-out."
Dick will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life, and was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order as well as a Restraining Order to protect the victim.