Thomas Dodds 22

Description

Thomas Dodds, 22, targeted the woman as she walked home across the High-Level Bridge over the Tyne in the early morning hours of August 16.

Dodds followed her from Westmorland Road in Newcastle and onto the bridge where he approached her from behind, before overpowering her onto the floor.

He then attempted to rape her, before she stuck her fingers down his throat and pushed him away.

Dodds then fled the scene heading back towards the city centre.

The woman quickly reported the assault to the police, and an investigation was immediately launched.

Officers from Gateshead’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) carried out extensive CCTV enquiries in Gateshead and Newcastle.

After several lines of enquiries, Dodds was tracked down and arrested within days of the report being made.

Dodds, of Woodhorn Drive in Ashington, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in September where he pleaded guilty to attempted rape and was remanded in custody.

Yesterday (Monday, 12) he appeared at the same court where he was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months behind bars.

Dodds will also serve two years on extended license and has been added to the Sex Offenders register for life. He was also handed a restraining order to protect the victim. 

In a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) which was read to the court, the victim bravely described how the events of that night had impacted her.

She said:

“I have struggled to process my emotions following what happened on the day.

“I was shocked, upset and emotionally unstable, but also angry and confused, questioning ‘why me?’.

“It is something that I never thought would happen to me and I wonder what could have happened to me, or where I would be now, if I hadn’t managed to fight off the stranger who attacked me.

“I had to take two weeks off from work to start and try to process what had happened, which also had a financial impact upon my income.

“When going out, I have a lot of anxiety about being alone and have noticed that I am a lot more cautious, especially in the dark.

“With the winter months and the nights being darker, I am more scared to be out in public by myself and find myself wondering if someone is behind me constantly.

“My independence has been completely ruined; I enjoy going to concerts and music events and would even go alone if none of my friends were available, though I do not feel able to do that anymore.

“At the time of writing this statement, over two months have passed since it happened, and I am still trying to process it.

“I am unsure of the long-term impacts this will have on my future life, but I would not wish for anyone to go through what happened to me.”

Leading the case from Northumbria Police, Detective Constable Burns said: 

“The act committed by Thomas Dodds that night, I believe, is every woman's deepest fear.

I’d like to thank everyone involved in this case—most importantly the victim – who has shown great resilience and bravery in revisiting the events of that night throughout this ordeal.”

Detective Constable Burns added:

“I’d like to stress that stranger offences of this nature are extremely rare in our region.

“I’m glad that Dodds will be spending time behind bars, as it demonstrates how seriously we take these types of reports and how hard we work to ensure justice is delivered to victims.”

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, or wants to share information, to get in touch.”