GORDON STRINGER FROM CASTLEFORD AND WAKEFIELD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN

In April 2006, a disturbing case unfolded involving Gordon Raymond Stringer, a 72-year-old man from Altofts, Wakefield, who was convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses committed against young girls. The court heard that Stringer, who had been serving as a volunteer tutor at a school in Castleford, engaged in a series of heinous acts over a period spanning from 2000 to 2005.

During his time working in the classroom, Stringer exploited his position of trust and authority to carry out sexual assaults on four young girls. These assaults occurred while he was assisting them with their reading, a role that should have been nurturing and supportive but was instead marred by his predatory behavior. The court also learned of a separate incident where Stringer abused a fifth girl during a private mathematics lesson at her home in Leeds, further highlighting the extent of his misconduct.

Gordon Stringer was found guilty by a jury of four counts of gross indecency with a child. In addition, he was convicted of one count of indecent assault, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of sexual assault. However, he was acquitted of two charges of assault by penetration, which indicates that the jury did not find sufficient evidence to prove those particular allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

Judge Rodney Grant, presiding over the case, sentenced Stringer to six years in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of Stringer’s betrayal of trust, noting that the offender had targeted girls aged between eight and nine years old. The judge described the acts as not only sexually abusive but also manipulative, with Stringer encouraging the young victims to participate in sexual acts with him. "You were in a position of trust and authority when these offences were committed and what you did was a serious betrayal of the trust which had been placed in you and a misuse of the authority which you had at that time," Judge Grant stated.

He further explained that these offenses were persistent, beginning around 2000 and continuing until 2005, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior. The court heard that Stringer, who previously worked in the mining industry and rose to the position of foreman before being made redundant in 1986, later engaged in volunteer tutoring work. His barrister, Richard Clewes, described this side of Stringer’s character as meritorious, contrasting it with the criminal acts. Clewes also pointed out that there are generally two types of offenders in such cases: predatory individuals and those who are inadequate. He argued that Stringer fell into the latter category.

Community reaction to the case was intense, with slogans painted on Stringer’s house in Altofts, reflecting the community’s condemnation. The court was also informed that Stringer had faced unwelcome attention and hostility from residents due to his actions.

Prosecutor Mark McKone recounted a chilling detail from the trial, revealing that Stringer had told one girl, "Don’t tell your mum – it’s our little secret." The victim, who is now a teenager, later confided in a relative, saying, "You know Gordon, my maths teacher, he’s a paedophile," illustrating the lasting impact of his abuse and the community’s outrage over his crimes.