MICHAEL ETHERIDGE FROM DEREHAM SENTENCED TO ADDITIONAL YEARS FOR HISTORIC ABUSE IN NORFOLK

In a significant development in the ongoing pursuit of justice for victims of historic abuse, Michael Etheridge, a 75-year-old man from Dereham, Norfolk, was handed an additional prison sentence of two and a half years in November 2015. This sentencing followed his admission to further indecent assault offences, adding to his previous convictions.

Etheridge was already serving a four-year sentence for a series of abuse incidents that spanned several decades, specifically from 1959 through 1999. His earlier convictions were related to acts of abuse committed over a long period, reflecting a disturbing pattern of misconduct that had persisted for decades.

The recent charges involved five new counts of indecent assault, with victims coming forward from the 1970s. These allegations further exposed the extent of Etheridge’s misconduct and underscored the ongoing efforts of authorities to bring justice to those affected by his actions.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Stephen Holt addressed the court and acknowledged the profound and lasting impact that the abuse had inflicted on the victims’ lives. The judge emphasized that such offences are inherently 'wicked,' and highlighted the emotional scars that victims carry for a lifetime. The court’s decision reflects a recognition of the severity of Etheridge’s crimes and the importance of holding offenders accountable, regardless of the passage of time.