MICHAEL NORMAN FROM SCUNTHORPE SENTENCED TO OVER 20 YEARS FOR ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN SCUNTHORPE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Scunthorpe, a man named Michael Norman has been sentenced to more than two decades behind bars for a series of appalling crimes involving three young children. The crimes, which spanned a prolonged period, included sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, leaving lasting scars on the victims and prompting a swift and severe judicial response.

Following a detailed three-week trial held at Hull Crown Court last month, the jury found Norman, aged 34 and a resident of Scunthorpe, guilty on multiple counts. The charges included nine counts of cruelty to a person under 16, two counts of child rape involving a victim under the age of 13, one count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent. The jury, demonstrating a clear consensus, took only three hours to reach their verdicts, underscoring the strength of the evidence against Norman.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC presided over the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, December 13, and described Norman as a “cruel and depraved” individual. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the severity of the abuse inflicted upon the children, stating that they had been subjected to “an avalanche of abuse.” He expressed his concern that Norman showed no remorse and lacked insight into the gravity of his actions. “The defendant does not harbor an insight and does not consider himself to be a danger to children,” Judge Richardson remarked. He further noted that Norman’s attitude suggested he might wallow in self-pity rather than reflect on his crimes.

Throughout the sentencing, the judge characterized Norman’s behavior as “sadistic,” highlighting the profound harm caused to the young victims. He stressed that no child should ever have to endure such treatment, condemning the actions that have left deep emotional and physical scars.

The case was brought to light when one of the children involved was taken to hospital with a “catalogue of injuries,” prompting an immediate investigation. Prosecutor John Thackray explained that the injuries observed were extensive, including a fracture to the child’s right leg and a broken left wrist. The child also bore cigarette burns on their bottom and bruising to their genital area. Norman initially claimed that the burns resulted from the child sitting on burning cigarette ends, but he later admitted this was a lie, according to Mr. Thackray.

Further evidence revealed that Norman caused injuries to another child, including incidents where the child was dangled from a height. The court also heard that Norman used derogatory language, calling one of the children “gay” as an insult, and physically assaulted another by punching and kicking them. These acts of violence and cruelty underscored the extent of Norman’s abuse.

Victim impact statements from two of the children involved were read aloud on December 8, prior to sentencing. One child expressed ongoing fears about meeting males in the future, describing feelings of being “scared of life in general.” They shared that they had lost friends, experienced nightmares, and struggled to concentrate at school, often getting into trouble—a stark contrast to their previous behavior. The child lamented the loss of childhood innocence, stating, “I feel my time as a child has been taken away from me. My life is like a living nightmare.”

Another child’s statement revealed that the trauma was so intense that “what he did feels like it is glued to my mind and it won’t go away.” They also expressed fear of men and difficulty focusing at school, concluding that their life would have been happier without Norman’s actions. The emotional testimonies underscored the profound and lasting impact of the abuse on the victims’ mental health and well-being.

In light of the evidence and the severity of the crimes, Judge Richardson sentenced Michael Norman to a total of 28 years in prison, comprising a 23-year custodial sentence and an additional five-year extended license period. The case has left a lasting mark on the community of Scunthorpe, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of child abuse and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and judicial intervention.