BRANDON NORTON SHOCKS NORTH TYNESIDE WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT AND REPEATED OFFENSES

Brandon Norton, a 22-year-old man from Berkshire Road, Camberley, Surrey, has been at the center of a disturbing series of criminal acts that have left the local community in North Tyneside deeply shaken. The incident that led to his conviction involved a heinous sexual assault committed in a public park within North Tyneside, where Norton traveled from Surrey specifically to carry out his unlawful actions.

According to court proceedings, Norton targeted a vulnerable young girl after deliberately getting her extremely intoxicated. Witnesses and evidence revealed that he had supplied her with alcohol to the point where she was barely able to walk, rendering her highly susceptible to his advances. During the assault, Norton was found to be in possession of a screwdriver, a detail that underscored the threatening and persistent nature of his actions. The court heard that Norton was relentless in his pursuit, breaching a restraining order that prohibited any contact with his grandmother, further illustrating his disregard for legal restrictions.

He appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link from HMP Lewes, where he was convicted on two counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted sexual assault following a trial. The presiding judge, Recorder Thomas Moran, condemned Norton’s conduct, stating, "You got her as drunk as you could so you could sexually assault her in the park. She could barely walk, you then set about sexually assaulting her. You were quite persistent."

The victim, whose identity remains protected, described the profound and lasting impact the assaults had on her. She reported suffering from sleep disturbances, flashbacks, and a marked increase in self-harming behaviors. Her mental health deteriorated significantly following the incident, highlighting the severe trauma inflicted.

Further troubling developments emerged in October 2023, when Norton committed additional offences in Guildford. Despite being under a restraining order, he threatened to burn down his grandmother’s house and damaged a doorbell camera, demonstrating a blatant disregard for court orders and the safety of others.

It was also revealed that Norton has a troubling criminal history, including convictions for dishonesty, possession of bladed articles, and a burglary involving children’s underwear, which was described as particularly disturbing. His defense team argued that vulnerabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and PTSD contributed to his behavior, citing a troubled childhood as a factor.

In light of his actions, the court sentenced Norton to two years in prison. Additionally, he was handed a 10-year restraining order, placed on the sex offenders’ register for a decade, and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period, aiming to prevent further harm and protect the community from future offenses.