HETTON-LE-HOLE PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR HISTORIC CHILD ABUSE
A man identified as Alan Ord, aged 47, has been convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offences committed in the late 1990s.Ord, described as a "predatory paedophile," sexually abused two young children during that period.
The abuse has had long-lasting impacts on the victims, with one still battling nightmares, flashbacks, and mental health issues over 20 years later.
The crimes came to public attention in 2018 after one victim decided to come forward, revealing the abuse that was previously unknown.On Wednesday, in Newcastle Crown Court, Alan Ord admitted to two counts of indecent assault and four counts of indecency with a child.
The offences, which occurred in the late 1990s, led to his guilty plea.
It was acknowledged that Ord, who has mild Autism Spectrum Disorder, had prior incidents, including being cautioned by police after admitting inappropriate touching to a GP, and later, in 2015, receiving a conditional discharge related to possession of indecent images.Victims have spoken about the profound effects of the abuse.
One victim stated they "continue to struggle greatly to come to terms with the abuse" and are still seeking professional support for depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
They added, "The abuse has torn me to pieces.
Prior to the abuse I was a happy child, but that changed and at times I have felt deep shame and a level of blame." The second victim reported feeling "robbed of their childhood" and continues to feel unsafe after what happened.The court heard that at the time of the offences, Ord's mental health was fragile; he was experiencing depressive symptoms and had made some attempts at self-harm.
His defense lawyer, Daniel Cordey, argued that Ord's vulnerabilities, including his learning difficulties and mental health issues, made him highly susceptible to the challenges of custodial life.
The judge, Judge Adams, commented that Ord had "taken advantage" of the children, who suffered trauma, and remarked that Ord’s remorse appeared minimal, which was related to his learning disability.Ultimately, Ord was sentenced to five years in prison.
He will be subject to an indefinite registration on the sex offenders register and has been issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Additionally, an indefinite restraining order was imposed to prohibit contact with the victims.Following the sentencing, Julie Wightman, lead detective from Northumbria Police, stated, "Ord is a predatory paedophile who has shown little remorse for his victims, only admitting his crimes when the evidence was so strongly against him.
The actions of Ord have had a significant impact on these victims’ lives." She expressed hope that the sentence would help victims move forward and send a message to others suffering in silence that it is never too late to report abuse.
