SEATON SLUICE PAEDOPHILE DAVID SIME SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN NORTHUMBERLAND

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, David Sime, a 68-year-old man with a history in the Merchant Navy, has been convicted of serious sexual offences against children and subsequently sentenced to prison. Sime, who was released from incarceration just a year prior to his latest conviction, has now returned to reside in Seaton Sluice, where his past crimes have come to light.

The allegations against Sime first surfaced publicly in December 2016, when he was found guilty of multiple counts of indecency involving young children. The court heard that Sime had a disturbing pattern of sexual attraction towards prepubescent children, with some victims being under the age of 13. One particularly distressing case involved a girl who was abused over a period of ten years, beginning when she was only three years old. The jury convicted Sime on two counts of indecency, but acquitted him of other charges after a trial that revealed the extent of his offending.

Following his conviction, Sime was ordered to register as a sex offender and was released on bail to allow for background and probation reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing scheduled for January at Newcastle Crown Court. The court was informed that Sime had no previous convictions, but his actions had caused lasting trauma to his victims. The court also learned that Sime had committed acts of sexual misconduct in front of victims, including a young girl between the ages of five and twelve, and a boy aged between six and ten, in various locations including a storage cupboard.

In January 2017, Sime was sentenced to two years in prison for his crimes. Judge Edward Bindloss emphasized that the maximum sentence at the time of the offences was two years, although the current maximum for similar offences is ten years. The judge acknowledged the profound impact the abuse had on the victims, particularly Lyndsey, a woman now 34 years old, who bravely waived her right to anonymity to speak out about her suffering. Lyndsey recounted her childhood experiences, describing how she was targeted by Sime from a very young age, starting in her reception year, and how the trauma has haunted her into adulthood.

She detailed the mental and physical abuse she endured, including being manipulated and kept silent about her experiences. Lyndsey explained that she often went to bed wishing she would die, and that her trust in others was shattered. She recounted her feelings of guilt, shame, and embarrassment, especially after reporting the abuse to a teacher at school, only to find that no protective action was taken. Despite her suffering, she expressed relief and elation at Sime’s imprisonment, stating, “I am elated, thrilled that he has been put behind bars. Now we have justice — ideally it could have been longer but this is a momentous achievement for us.”

During the sentencing, Judge Bindloss highlighted the long-term effects of the abuse on Lyndsey, including difficulties in forming relationships and ongoing mental health struggles. He also noted her feelings of guilt and her sense of being trapped, which compounded her trauma. The court heard that Sime’s actions were opportunistic, often occurring when others were not paying attention, and that he had exploited his position of trust as a family member and caregiver.

Sime’s defense argued that he had since helped care for his grandchildren without any concerns being raised, and that he was no longer a danger to the public. His wife, who has been married to him for 45 years, along with other family members, do not accept his guilt. The court also took into account that Sime had been working as an engineer in the Merchant Navy, including in Saudi Arabia, and that he had no prior criminal record.

In addition to his prison sentence, Sime was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, aimed at protecting the community from further offending. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and the community of Seaton Sluice, with many calling for greater awareness and protective measures for children. Sime’s case underscores the importance of vigilance and the need for victims to come forward, despite the difficulties involved in doing so.