GARRY HORSEMAN FROM HARTLEPOOL SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND SCUNTHORPE
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Hartlepool and beyond, Garry Horseman, a lorry driver aged 56, has been sentenced to over two decades in prison for the heinous sexual abuse of two young girls.The crimes, which took place in Northumberland and Scunthorpe, involved repeated and deeply disturbing assaults that have left lasting scars on the victims.
Prosecutor Ian Brook detailed the chilling nature of the offenses during the proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court.
He revealed that Horseman, who was behind the wheel of his lorry, lured one of the young victims into a private space within his vehicle, specifically behind a “tassled gold curtain” in the cab, where he committed the assault.
The court was informed that the victim was so frightened by Horseman’s psoriasis, which caused his skin to flake, that she was more preoccupied with avoiding contact with his skin than focusing on the assault itself.
Mr.
Brook explained, “She was not really focusing on what he was doing but was more concerned about anything from his moustache dropping on to her.” Further evidence presented in court indicated that Horseman employed manipulative tactics to silence his victims, including giving them cash, a classic grooming technique aimed at ensuring their silence and complicity.
Both young girls, now adults, provided personal statements that vividly described the profound and lifelong impact of the abuse they endured.
One victim expressed that her life has become a “complete mess,” and she is haunted by flashbacks triggered by media coverage of rape and sexual abuse.
She described crying herself to sleep, experiencing nightmares, and feeling as though her childhood had been stolen from her.
Similarly, the second victim conveyed her feelings of being “robbed” of her innocence and suffering from haunting nightmares that continually remind her of the trauma.
Both women spoke about their struggles to trust others and their difficulty in forming meaningful relationships, illustrating the deep psychological scars left by Horseman’s actions.
Garry Horseman, who resides on Grange Road in Hartlepool, initially denied all allegations, claiming that his victims were fabricating stories in pursuit of compensation.
However, he later admitted to charges of rape and indecent assault concerning both victims.
The court’s decision reflected the severity of his crimes, with Judge Penny Moreland sentencing him to a total of 21 years and three months in prison.
Additionally, Horseman is required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.
The judge emphasized that the lives of the victims have been irreparably damaged by Horseman’s actions, underscoring the gravity of the case and the importance of justice for the victims.
