ALLEN MARCH AND HIS SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENCES IN DURHAM

A man named Allen March has been convicted of a series of disturbing sexual offences committed against a young girl in Durham, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that exploited the girl’s vulnerability and trust.

The court proceedings disclosed that March, who resides on Orchard Street, Crook, targeted the girl at a particularly low point in her life. It was noted that she had previously been a victim of online grooming, a factor that made her susceptible to further exploitation. The initial evidence of March’s inappropriate conduct emerged when he sent her a message that commented on her physical appearance, specifically her body and breasts. The prosecution characterized this act as an attempt by March to test his limits and see what he could get away with, underlying his calculated approach.

As the abuse progressed, March escalated from inappropriate messages to physical touching, culminating in a sexual assault that included raping the girl for the first time just before she turned 13. Durham Crown Court heard that his criminal activity did not end there; rather, it persisted over several years, enduring until his victim finally found the courage to disclose the abuse. Fear and shame had kept her silent for a long period, but the emotional toll made her feel unable to seek help earlier.

Prosecutor Joe Cully outlined that March, aged 58, had denied all charges, claiming that his victim had been lying about the abuse. Despite these assertions, the court found the evidence compelling enough to convict him on all 18 charges, which included five counts of rape, following a rigorous week-long trial held in May.

During the sentencing hearing, which was conducted via video link from Durham Prison where March is currently detained, further troubling details were brought to light. It was revealed that March had also sent a photograph of his private parts to another child, as well as to a 17-year-old female passenger in his taxi, highlighting a pattern of inappropriate behavior beyond just his interactions with the victim.

The impact of March’s actions on the girl was poignantly conveyed through her victim impact statement. She described herself as a “really vulnerable kid” at the time of the abuse, suffering from low self-esteem and engaging in self-harm as a consequence of her trauma. Her mental health struggles are ongoing, as she experiences nightmares, flashbacks, and has developed a fear of men, which affects her daily life. She now refuses to open the door to male delivery drivers, and she avoids taxis and public transport when alone.

Legal representative Chris Baker acknowledged that March had no previous criminal record but emphasized that there was no mitigating factor to lessen his culpability. Baker also mentioned that March has health issues and physical ailments, which he would have to endure during his lengthy incarceration.

Judge James Adkin delivered the sentence, stating that March’s grooming began at a young age and that his comment about the girl’s appearance seemed to be an early attempt to probe her boundaries—a prelude to the more serious sexual offences to follow. The judge described some of the trial evidence as “harrowing to listen to,” reflecting the severity of the case.

In addressing March directly, Judge Adkin noted that while he may have been of good character in the past, the gravity of his criminal actions overshadowed this history. The judge sentenced March to a term of 23 years in prison, with an additional one-year license extension, meaning he will have to serve at least two-thirds, or approximately 16 years, before becoming eligible for parole.

Furthermore, March was ordered to be subject to a lifelong restraining order relating to the victim, and to register as a sex offender for life. He is also bound by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next 30 years, ensuring ongoing oversight of his activities to protect the public from further harm.