NORTH SHIELDS MAN FACING INDECENT ASSAULT CHARGES AFTER KIDNAP VICTIM ATTACK
Two girls who snatched a 14-year-old and subjected her to a 14 hour kidnap ordeal have walked away from court.The horrific attack bears similarities to one they carried out five years earlier.
Gemma Ritchie and Leanne Hollister, both 18, escaped jail after admitting locking their victim in a house and repeatedly attacking her.
During the assault, violent Ritchie threatened the 14-year-old with a knife and encouraged younger girls to bite, kick, burn, and punch her while Hollister watched.
Hollister also assaulted the girl before handing her over to Gary Alderson, who indecently assaulted her.
Alderson, 45, of George Square, North Shields, is scheduled to be sentenced for indecent assault on March 23 at North Tyneside Magistrates Court.
Ritchie pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and was sentenced to a 12-month Community Rehabilitation Order, 100 hours of Community Punishment, and six months electronic tagging.
Hollister admitted assault and received a 12-month Community Rehabilitation Order, 90 hours of Community Punishment, and was ordered to pay £100 compensation.
The case is a repeat of a similarly appalling incident five years prior, where as 13-year-olds, Ritchie and Hollister kidnapped a 12-year-old, assaulted her, and inflicted grievous bodily harm.
The victim's father expressed his disappointment, stating they 'walked free again' and criticizing the authorities' handling of such cases.
Alderson had attempted to keep his address out of the newspapers for fear of retaliation but was refused.
His sentencing for indecent assault is set for March 23.
