GEORGE WOODWARD'S HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN GATESHEAD AND AUSTRALIA REVEALED

In a deeply disturbing case that spans continents, Geoffrey Woodward, a man with a dark history rooted in Gateshead, has been convicted of heinous child sexual assault crimes committed against his own daughter. The horrifying abuse began when she was just 10 years old and continued until she was 13, a period during which her innocence was systematically stolen by the very person who was supposed to protect her.

Her name is Lynn, now 52, and she has bravely come forward to recount her traumatic experiences, shedding light on the long-lasting scars inflicted by her father, Geoffrey Woodward. Her ordeal was so severe that it led to a court case in New South Wales, Australia, where Woodward was living at the time of his crimes. The court heard that Woodward, then 74, was handed an 18-year prison sentence for his role in the sexual abuse, one of the longest ever imposed in New South Wales for historical child sexual assault cases.

Woodward’s crimes against his own daughter took place while he was residing in Australia, specifically in New South Wales, before he moved back to the North East of England, where he had grown up. His criminal activities were uncovered after he was extradited from his Gateshead home in December 2012. The case drew significant media attention, with reports detailing how he faced multiple counts of rape and buggery, to which he admitted guilt. The court sentenced him to six years on each of five counts of rape and seven years for buggery, with the total sentence reflecting the gravity of his actions.

Despite his conviction and imprisonment, Woodward continues to blame his daughter for the abuse, claiming that he “only had sex with his daughter” and expressing confusion over her failure to forgive him. Psychologists revealed that he had put his daughter on the contraceptive pill at the age of 13, further illustrating the extent of his manipulation and control.

Lynn, who now works as a nurse and is married with two children, decided to break her silence not just for her own healing but to serve as a voice for other victims of similar abuse. Her courage in speaking out is a testament to her resilience and desire to prevent others from suffering in silence. Her story has been followed by the Sunday Sun for over two years, beginning in December 2012, when her father’s extradition from Gateshead was first reported.

Her traumatic experience started on her 10th birthday in 1972, when her father took her on a boat trip that would forever alter her life. She recalls that the day was supposed to be a celebration but instead became the beginning of her nightmare. During the boat ride, her father took her to a small island for what she thought was a picnic, but it marked the start of her abuse. Lynn described her feelings of confusion and fear, recalling how her father reassured her that her pain was normal and that she must never tell anyone, warning her that terrible things would happen if she revealed the truth.

Lynn described how she created a mental “box of sorrow,” filling it with her pain and heartache as a means of survival. Over time, she realized that her life had become a facade, a “new normal” that was anything but normal. Her father’s brutality and threats kept her silent, and she endured the abuse in silence for years. Her account highlights the profound psychological impact of her father’s manipulation and control.

Her decision to speak out was driven by a desire not only for justice but also to help other victims find their voice. She emphasized that her court case was about more than just her father’s imprisonment; it was about reclaiming her life and beginning the process of healing. Lynn expressed that her journey through grief and sorrow is ongoing, but she finds strength in the truth and hopes that her story will inspire others to come forward. Her ultimate goal is to lift the burden of shame and judgment, and to affirm that justice and truth are vital steps toward recovery.