GORDON BEDLINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN CHILTON MOOR AND NEWCASTLE

In May 2018, a heartbreaking case unfolded at Newcastle Crown Court involving the long-lasting trauma inflicted upon a woman by her abuser, Gordon Bedlington, a man with ties to Chilton Moor. The survivor, now in her 40s, bravely shared her story through an emotional video statement, revealing the profound and lasting effects of the abuse she endured as a child.

Gordon Bedlington, aged 65 and residing at The Folds, Chilton Moor, Houghton le Spring, pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to his misconduct. Specifically, he admitted to five counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. The crimes, which took place during the 1970s and 1980s, involved inappropriate touching of two young girls, including instances where he touched their genitals over and under their clothing. On one particularly disturbing occasion, Bedlington forced the younger victim to touch his penis.

Prosecutor Richard Bennett explained that the victim requested her statement, describing the deep psychological scars left by Bedlington’s actions. During her testimony, delivered through tears, she expressed the immense mental torment caused by the abuse. She stated, “There aren’t really any words to describe the mental torment a person who has been through sexual abuse goes through, unless you’ve been abused yourself you simply can’t imagine the devastation it causes.”

Despite her resilience in overcoming personal hardships such as bereavement and redundancy, she emphasized that abuse is an abnormal and devastating experience. “Abuse is not a normal part of life and it shouldn’t ever have happened to me, but it did, and it has left my psychological wellbeing in tatters,” she said. Her account detailed persistent flashbacks, nightmares, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder that have affected every aspect of her life, including her relationships, her career, and even the birth of her child.

The survivor also shared her struggles with visiting her family in the North East, as memories of the abuse and triggers like fire stations or specific clothing styles evoke fear and distress. She admitted that these memories have at times driven her to suicidal thoughts. “I just want to be clear with the court that I wanted to leave this world and my loved ones as a direct result of what that vile person did to me when I was a little girl,” she revealed.

Throughout her testimony, she conveyed feelings of shame and disgust, which she is actively working to overcome through intensive therapy. Her purpose in speaking out was to ensure that Bedlington and the court fully understand the harm caused. “I hope my words will haunt him for the rest of his life,” she declared, adding her hope that this brave step will eventually bring her relief and prevent him from harming other children.

Judge Penny Morland, in delivering the sentence, noted that the punishment was limited by the laws in place at the time of the offences. Had the crimes been committed today, they would have attracted a longer maximum sentence. She told Bedlington, “The impact of your offending has been described more eloquently than I ever could. To abuse a child is to rob that person of their childhood, and to rob them of the life which they might have had. You have caused irreparable damage to your victim and to her relationship with her parents.”

Judge Morland also emphasized that the shame associated with sexual abuse lies solely with the perpetrator. Bedlington was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, and he was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct to protect others from potential harm.