CRAIG REID SENTENCED TO DECADE IN HARTLEPOOL FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the Hartlepool community, Craig Reid, aged 36, has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing a vulnerable teenage girl. The incident, which took place over a period of time, was detailed during a hearing at Teesside Crown Court, where the court heard how Reid targeted the underage girl, subjecting her to a series of increasingly severe sexual assaults.

Judge Recorder Tom Bayliss QC addressed Reid directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. He stated, “Her attempts to deter you were useless. She was vulnerable in your hands. She says she was scared and didn’t know what to do. She told you to stop, but you persisted.” The judge described Reid’s conduct as a clear pattern of sexual grooming, highlighting that the offenses were not impulsive or opportunistic but part of a calculated sequence of abuse directed at a defenseless child.

According to the court, Reid engaged in inappropriate sexual language and even participated in sexual horseplay, pushing the boundaries of acceptable behavior to see how far he could go. The judge explained that Reid relied on the girl’s embarrassment and fear to silence her, making her feel too intimidated to report the abuse at the time.

When the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, eventually reported Reid’s actions, he initially denied all allegations. However, Reid later expressed remorse, claiming he was “truly sorry” and “totally ashamed and disgusted” by his conduct. Despite this, the judge pointed out that Reid’s attitude was inconsistent, noting that he called the victim a liar when first confronted. It was only after the girl remained steadfast and gave evidence in court that Reid admitted to his crimes.

Reid, who was previously residing on Greywood Close in Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity during his trial in October. He is now without a fixed address and was assessed as a high risk to children. As part of his sentence, Reid was handed a sexual offences prevention order that prohibits him from having unsupervised contact or engaging in activities with anyone under the age of 16. Additionally, he will be on the sex offenders’ register for life and is barred from working with children.

The court heard that one of the assaults was classified as being in the highest category of its kind, which alone warranted a ten-year sentence. The remaining seven charges, which ranged from one to four years, will run concurrently. Reid’s late guilty pleas, which related to offenses committed in 2008 and 2009, ultimately prevented a potentially indefinite prison sentence.

The victim, a teenage girl, provided a statement expressing her feelings about the ordeal. She revealed that she was initially frightened and overwhelmed by the process of giving evidence but now feels calmer and is eager to move forward with her life.

Reid’s defense lawyer, Christine Egerton, emphasized that her client showed genuine remorse and that his pleas had provided some measure of certainty for the girl and her family. Reid also expressed his intention to undergo a treatment program to address his behavior, signaling a recognition of the need for rehabilitation.