HENRY SPARK FROM LANCHESTER CAUGHT IN SEXUAL ASSAULT NEAR TANFIELD LEA

In a case that spanned over a decade, Henry Spark, a 69-year-old man from Lanchester, has been convicted of serious sexual offenses committed near Tanfield Lea. The incident dates back to April 2008, when Spark was seen by the Durham Crown Court to have targeted a 17-year-old girl walking alone in the early hours of the morning.

According to court proceedings, Spark, who was driving a vehicle, noticed the young woman around 3am as she was making her way near Tanfield Lea. Instead of passing by, he pulled his car up behind her and offered her a lift, which she initially accepted. However, what transpired inside the vehicle was far from a simple ride. The court heard that Spark forced the teenager to perform a sexual act on him and subsequently sexually assaulted her. The young girl, overwhelmed and distressed, reported the incident to the police the very next day, on April 14, 2008.

Despite her report, initial forensic investigations did not yield any matching DNA evidence. The DNA found on her clothing did not match any records at the time, leaving the case unresolved for many years. It was only after a decade that advances in forensic science led to a breakthrough. The DNA was eventually matched to Spark, who was then 69 years old and working as a delivery driver. Spark, who resides in Deneside, Lanchester, initially denied any involvement when questioned by police. He claimed ignorance of the incident during an interview but later changed his account once the DNA evidence was presented.

During the trial at Durham Crown Court, Spark pleaded not guilty to charges including causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, assault by penetration, and sexual assault. As he took the stand to give evidence, Spark made a disturbing statement, suggesting that he had asked the teenager to put her hands between his legs to 'warm them up,' claiming he did it to see if she would.

When questioned about why the victim might have accused him of assault, Spark speculated that she might have been seeking sympathy or empathy. The court heard that the teenager was walking nearly 12 miles from Brandon to Tanfield Lea after a disagreement with her boyfriend. She had already declined a lift from another man who had pulled over, but she chose to accept Spark’s offer because he appeared to be a 'decent man.'

During the closing arguments, Spark’s defense team described the incident as sordid and suggested that Spark took advantage of her vulnerable state. They argued that the teenager would never have imagined performing a sex act on a man old enough to be her grandfather, especially given her tired and sore feet after a long walk. The defense claimed that Spark propositioned her out of a moment of poor judgment, emphasizing that he 'never should have' done so.

However, a spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) countered these claims, stating, 'He has to suggest that she was up for it because that’s the only way he can suggest it.' The jury ultimately found Spark guilty of all charges. He was convicted of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, sexual assault, and assault by penetration.

Henry Spark is scheduled to appear at Durham Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, August 14, where the court will determine the appropriate punishment for his actions. The case highlights the importance of forensic evidence in solving cold cases and the ongoing pursuit of justice for victims of sexual assault.