GRAEME ACKERMAN FROM CARRVILLE JAILED IN DURHAM FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AFTER FLEEING TO DUBAI

In a case that has spanned several years and involved international travel, Graeme Ackerman, a man originally from Carrville, Durham, has been sentenced to prison for engaging in illicit sexual activities with a minor. The sequence of events began in July 2011 when police in Durham received a complaint concerning Ackerman's inappropriate relationship with an underage girl. Following this, he was detained and questioned by authorities, during which he chose not to make any public comment.

However, during a subsequent interview in July 2011, Ackerman admitted to police that he had developed a close relationship with the girl, whom he believed was infatuated with him. This revelation added to the evidence against him, and prosecutors argued that his actions were clearly inappropriate and illegal.

Despite being informed that he would be summoned to appear in court, Ackerman failed to attend his initial hearing at North Durham magistrates in November 2011. It was later discovered that he had already left the country, having boarded a flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. His departure was a significant development, as it effectively evaded immediate prosecution and court proceedings.

His whereabouts remained unknown until earlier this year when authorities in the UK managed to locate him. Following his arrest, Ackerman was detained in Dubai, where he spent a total of 86 days in custody. The authorities in Dubai eventually agreed to extradite him back to the United Kingdom, and he was returned in late May. Since his return, he has remained in custody, awaiting sentencing.

Graeme Ackerman, aged 48 and formerly residing on High Street in Carrville, Durham, ultimately pleaded guilty to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. During the court proceedings, his defense lawyer, John Gregg, highlighted that Ackerman was a man with a stable employment history, having worked in retail management for supermarkets. Gregg emphasized that Ackerman was aware of the legal protections in place for teenage girls and expressed regret over his failure to handle the situation appropriately.

In a letter presented to the court, Ackerman acknowledged his misconduct, and a character reference from his fiancée, a pharmaceutical company manager he met in Dubai, was also submitted. Despite these mitigating factors, the judge, Recorder Graham Hyland, sentenced Ackerman to three years and nine months in prison. Additionally, a sexual offences prevention order was imposed, which will remain in effect until further notice. This order restricts Ackerman from having any unsupervised contact with underage girls in the future. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions related to his conduct.