CLIFFORD REDHEAD SENTENCED IN NEWCASTLE FOR WASHINGTON AND SCARBOROUGH ATTACKS

In a significant development in the ongoing fight against sexual violence, Clifford Redhead, a man with a long history of criminal behavior, has been sentenced to serve a substantial prison term for offenses committed in Washington and Scarborough. The case, which has garnered considerable attention, highlights the enduring impact of sexual assault and the importance of justice for victims.

Redhead, who currently resides on Monroe Place in Newcastle, was convicted of heinous crimes that took place nearly two decades apart. The first incident occurred in 1998 in Washington, where he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in her own bedroom. During the attack, Redhead threatened her life, warning that she would die if she reported the assault. These threats had a profound and lasting effect on the young victim, instilling a deep-seated fear that persisted for years afterward.

The court heard that Redhead’s intimidation tactics effectively silenced the girl, preventing her from seeking help or reporting the crime at the time. As a result, Redhead moved away from the Wearside area shortly after the assault. Despite his departure, his criminal behavior did not cease. Just a few months later, Redhead committed another serious sexual offense, this time in Scarborough. He engaged a 15-year-old girl in conversation in a public garden area of the seaside town. The situation escalated when he refused to let her leave and forcibly took her to the rear of a closed Citizens Advice Bureau, where he raped her.

The teenage victim reported the assault, leading to Redhead’s arrest. In November 1998, he appeared before York Crown Court and pleaded guilty to the charges, receiving a six-year prison sentence for the Scarborough attack. His criminal record, which includes 64 convictions, reflects a pattern of violent and sexual offenses over the years.

Most recently, at Newcastle Crown Court, Redhead faced justice for the Washington assault. Judge Penny Moreland sentenced him to eight and a half years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge stated, “You went into her bedroom and you raped her in her own bed. You threatened to kill her before and after committing the offence against her. She has been permanently affected by the offence you committed. It has changed her life. She felt dirty, she felt worthless. You took away her childhood and her innocence. She continues to be in fear of you 15 years after the time you committed the offence. A serious aggravating feature was the threats you made.”

Prosecutor Gavin Doig highlighted that the threats made during the assault had a lasting psychological impact on the victim, effectively restraining her from reporting the crime earlier. Redhead, who was scheduled to stand trial, pleaded guilty to the rape charge on the day the trial was set to begin. His defense attorney, Katherine Dunn, explained that the guilty plea spared the victim from having to relive her trauma in court. She acknowledged that there was “no excuse” for Redhead’s actions but noted his troubled background, which dates back to childhood. Dunn also mentioned that Redhead has the support of his family, who are encouraging his efforts to reform.

As part of his sentence, Redhead is required to sign the sex offenders register for life and adhere to a sexual offences prevention order, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.