KEITH LATHAM FROM BILLINGHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN TEESSIDE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Billingham, Keith Latham, aged 57, was handed a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of serious child sexual offenses. The court heard harrowing details of the abuse inflicted upon a young girl, who is now a teenager, over a period of ten years.

According to the testimony presented at Teesside Crown Court, the victim recounted that Latham began his inappropriate conduct when she was just eight or nine years old. The abuse was reportedly carried out on an almost bi-daily basis, leaving lasting scars on her mental health and well-being. Prosecutor Shaun Dodds detailed that Latham initially gained the girl’s trust by offering her sweets, a tactic often used by predators to lure young victims. As their interactions continued, Latham escalated his manipulative behavior by giving her money, insisting that their secret should be kept hidden from others.

When Latham was eventually arrested, he expressed remorse for his actions but denied the frequency of the abuse. He acknowledged that an incident had occurred but maintained that he did not fully remember the extent of his offending. His defense attorney, Peter Makepeace, highlighted that Latham’s behavior might have been influenced by a serious brain injury he suffered in 1979. Makepeace also noted that Latham claimed to have limited recollection of the full scope of his misconduct, which he described as a significant factor in the case.

Judge Peter Bowers addressed Latham directly during sentencing, emphasizing the profound impact of his crimes. The judge referenced a letter from the victim, stating that the abuse had caused her severe psychiatric trauma. He explained that the girl had been forced to live under the shadow of Latham’s actions since childhood, a burden she would carry for the rest of her life. The court’s decision reflected the gravity of the offenses and the lasting damage inflicted upon the victim.

As a result, Keith Latham was sentenced to eight years in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits any contact with underage girls. Furthermore, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure designed to monitor and prevent further offenses. Latham’s guilty plea to eight charges of indecent assault, committed between 1998 and 2008, led to this comprehensive sentencing, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed his crimes.