ALEXANDER NEIL DIXON SHOCKS FERRYHILL WITH BRUTAL ATTACK NEAR BISHOP AUCKLAND

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Alexander Neil Dixon was found to have been actively prowling the streets of Bishop Auckland late on Sunday, October 27, of the previous year, with the apparent intent of targeting an innocent victim. The police reports detail how Dixon was seen driving around the area, seemingly on the lookout for someone to prey upon, before eventually pulling into a nearby street.

According to witnesses and police accounts, Dixon approached a woman who was walking from a local pub, presumably to meet a friend. He followed her at a close distance, gradually closing the gap as she continued her journey. The woman, unaware of his intentions, was approached by Dixon, who engaged her in conversation in an unsettling manner. After a brief exchange, Dixon led her into a nearby alleyway, where the assault took place.

Once inside the alley, Dixon forcibly pinned the woman against a wall. Despite her desperate pleas for him to stop, he proceeded to sexually assault her and ultimately raped her. The victim’s distress was compounded when Dixon, after a brief moment of apparent remorse, apologized and then left the scene. However, he did not leave for long. Moments later, he returned to carry out a second assault, during which he laughed in a high-pitched, psychotic manner, further terrifying the woman. Dixon then fled the scene, leaving her shaken and traumatized.

The woman managed to call the police immediately, and her friend, who was nearby, found her hiding and visibly distressed. Law enforcement officers quickly responded and arrested Dixon three days later. During questioning, Dixon initially denied any involvement in the offences but eventually admitted to both the rape and sexual assault.

The attack had a profound impact on the victim, leaving her deeply distressed and hesitant to venture out alone in the future. Dixon’s criminal history includes previous convictions for indecent assault and a public order offence involving a woman in an alleyway, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior.

Following a court trial, Dixon was sentenced to nine years in prison. He is expected to serve a minimum of six years before being eligible for parole. Additionally, he will be under a six-year license supervision period upon release. The court also imposed a ten-year driving ban, registered him as a sex offender, and issued a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent any future harm. This case underscores the ongoing concerns about public safety and the importance of swift justice for victims of sexual violence.