MELVIN MCFADDEN'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN BISHOP AUCKLAND AND WEST CORNFORTH REVEALED

In a series of disturbing events spanning over two decades, Melvin McFadden, a man with a long history of sexual offenses, has been at the center of serious criminal proceedings in the North East of England, specifically involving the towns of Bishop Auckland and West Cornforth. His latest tragic demise occurred in March 2023, when he died in hospital while serving a sentence at HMP Northumberland, marking the end of a life marred by heinous crimes.

McFadden, aged 61 at the time of his death, had a criminal record that included a conviction for sexual assault on young children. His most recent incarceration followed a conviction in December 2011, when he was found guilty of abusing a young child. The court sentenced him to an indefinite period of imprisonment, reflecting the severity of his offenses and the perceived ongoing danger he posed to the community.

The court's decision to impose an indefinite sentence was based on the assessment that McFadden remained a significant threat to children, even after his release from previous sentences. As part of the measures to prevent any future harm, a sexual offences prevention order was issued, which barred him from approaching schools and playgrounds, and prohibited him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16. Additionally, he was forbidden from residing in the same household as children, further emphasizing the court's concern for public safety.

During the sentencing hearing, a judge expressed grave concerns about McFadden's potential for reoffending. The judge highlighted that McFadden had been convicted in 2004 for abusing four children, including a seven-year-old, and was released on license in September of the previous year. However, shortly after the license expired in late June, McFadden began grooming his latest victim. He had managed to ingratiate himself with the child's mother, convincing her of his innocence regarding his past crimes. The court heard that McFadden engaged in acts of kindness, such as taking the child out for days out, giving cookies and cuddly toys, and socializing with the child's mother and her partner over pub meals and drinks.

Despite his claims of innocence and accusations that the child was persuaded to make false allegations for financial gain, the jury found him guilty of sexual assault by a majority of ten to two after deliberating for nearly three hours. The judge, Peter Fox, was highly critical of McFadden, describing him as a grave danger to children. He noted that it was fortunate the child confided in a teacher and grandfather shortly after the abuse began, as this prevented the situation from escalating further. The judge emphasized that the grooming had the potential to develop into far more serious conduct if not stopped early, and therefore, an indefinite sentence was deemed necessary for the protection of children.

Joanne Kidd, representing the defense, acknowledged that McFadden had instructed the child not to disclose what had happened but pointed out that he had never been violent or threatening towards the victim. The court's earlier history with McFadden included a 2004 conviction for a series of sex attacks on young girls, which resulted in a nine-year prison sentence. At that time, McFadden, a lorry driver from Bishop Auckland, was also disqualified from working with children and required to register as a sex offender upon release.

His criminal activities spanned from 1989 to 2002, during which he assaulted six girls across various locations in the country. The court found him guilty of multiple charges, including four counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency, with some charges resulting in unanimous verdicts and others by majority. Several charges, including gross indecency and indecent assault, remained unresolved due to the jury's inability to reach a verdict after extensive deliberation.

Following the trial, Detective Sergeant Brian Wilkes, who led the investigation, commented on McFadden's targeting of vulnerable young girls. He expressed relief that justice had been served and that the victims and their families could now begin to move forward after a traumatic period. The court's verdict and sentencing marked a significant step in addressing the long-standing concerns about McFadden's predatory behavior, which had caused immense harm to multiple victims over the years.