MATTHEW KERR FROM HARTLEPOOL JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN TEESSIDE
In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the community, Matthew Kerr, a resident of Hartlepool, was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting four teenage girls while they were asleep in their own beds.The incidents took place over a span of several months, with Kerr gaining access to the victims' homes through social invitations extended by their parents.
Teesside Crown Court heard detailed accounts of Kerr's actions, revealing that he targeted the girls on separate occasions.
Kerr initially denied the charges but later admitted to two counts of attempted rape and two counts of sexual assault, all committed in 2005.
His plea change came during the trial, which concluded in January, after evidence from his previous conviction was allowed to be presented.
The court was informed that Kerr, aged 26 at the time and residing on Jura Grove in Hartlepool, had a prior conviction for rape, for which he served three years in prison in 2002.
The earlier case involved Kerr waking his victim to carry out the attack, a pattern that seemed to recur in the recent assaults.
One particularly harrowing incident involved a 13-year-old girl who, just weeks after the July attacks, was terrified to discover Kerr touching her intimately and kissing her while she was asleep.
This incident underscored the ongoing threat Kerr posed to young girls in the community.
During the proceedings, Judge Peter Armstrong ruled that Kerr's previous conviction could be used as evidence, given the similarity of the crimes.
Kerr changed his plea on the day of sentencing, and the court found him guilty of assault by penetration and sexual assault.
In addition to his prison sentence, Kerr was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was prohibited from working with children or young people in any capacity.
The case has left many residents in Hartlepool deeply concerned about the safety of their community and the protection of vulnerable minors from predators like Kerr.
