ALAN THOMPSON FROM WALLSEND COULD BE FREE IN FOUR YEARS AFTER REDUCED SENTENCE

In a development that has left the community and the victim’s family deeply distressed, Alan Thompson, a man from Wallsend, is potentially on the verge of regaining his freedom within the next four years. Originally sentenced to an indefinite term for a brutal assault, Thompson’s sentence has now been reduced to seven years, opening the door for him to seek parole after serving just three and a half years.

Thompson, who resides on Tynemouth Road in Wallsend, was convicted of a heinous crime committed when he was only 16 years old. The incident took place in January of the previous year in Camperdown, North Tyneside, where he forcibly dragged his young female victim into a secluded back street and subjected her to a violent rape. Following the assault, Thompson mockingly laughed in her face as he stole her handbag, adding a layer of cruelty to his already egregious actions.

Details of the case emerged publicly in April when the Chronicle identified Thompson, who had turned 17 by that time. He was subsequently sentenced to an indefinite detention at Newcastle Crown Court after a four-day trial, a decision that reflected the severity of his crime and the need for long-term protection of the public.

The victim’s mother expressed her anguish over the recent developments, stating, “The Probation Service has told us Thompson was allowed to appeal and it went ahead straight away. The indefinite sentence has been replaced with a sentence of seven years with an extended licence of three years after that. He can apply for parole after three-and-a-half years. He still has to be on the sex offenders register as before. That hasn’t been changed.”

The young woman, now 18, shared her heartbreak, recounting how her life was shattered after she was stalked and attacked while walking home from a night out with friends in North Tyneside. She described her feelings of confusion and despair, saying, “I don’t understand how he can do this. It’s never going to go away.” Her mother added her frustration, emphasizing the emotional toll on their family: “We just wanted her to be able to get over this and get on with life. She was doing really well and now is very upset all over again. We are very angry that he can continue to hurt our daughter even now he is in prison.”

The assault not only robbed her of her sense of safety but also derailed her future prospects. The victim, a bright young woman with aspirations of attending university, was unable to complete her exams and lost opportunities that could have shaped her promising future. Her family’s pain underscores the devastating impact of Thompson’s actions and the ongoing concern about his potential release into the community.