MICHAEL STRANGE GATESHEAD AND WARDLEY CRICKET COACH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN NORTH EAST

In a series of disturbing revelations spanning over a decade, Michael Strange, a former cricket coach from Gateshead and Wardley, has been linked to multiple instances of sexual abuse involving young boys. His criminal activities, which date back to the 1990s, have come under intense scrutiny, leading to numerous convictions and ongoing investigations.

Most recently, in August 2023, Strange, aged 63, appeared via videolink at Sunderland Magistrates' Court to face charges related to a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in the late 1990s. The charge was for indecent assault on a 14-year-old boy, and Strange admitted to the offence. This admission came after he had already been serving time in prison for previous offences. The court heard that Strange was a coach at Durham County Cricket Club during the time of the offences, and he was charged on July 17 with this particular incident. His sentencing is scheduled for September 7 at Newcastle Crown Court.

It was revealed that Strange's history of abuse is extensive. He has been convicted on five separate occasions for abusing young players while coaching at two different clubs in the North East. His most recent conviction was in January 2022, and he was serving a prison sentence that was expected to conclude soon. However, he was still incarcerated at the time of his upcoming sentencing.

Back in June 2023, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made a significant move by contacting Northumbria Police to discuss the possibility of opening a formal investigation into Strange’s long history of offending. This step was taken amid growing concerns over how the cricket governing body handled allegations of child sex abuse involving Strange, who had been convicted four times over the past decade. Despite his multiple prison terms, the ECB had not previously initiated a thorough investigation into his activities.

Strange’s criminal record dates back to 2012 when he was first convicted and sentenced to six years for abusing young boys in the North East. Over the following years, additional survivors came forward, bringing the total number of victims to five. Many of these victims were young cricketers, some of whom played at Bill Quay Cricket Club in Gateshead, where Strange served as club captain and coach. His pattern of abuse continued over a ten-year period, with offences spanning from 1990 to 2004. His sentences were increased in subsequent years—2016, 2020, and 2022—culminating in a total of 13 and a half years behind bars for the historic offences.

In January 2016, Strange, then 55, from Wardley, Gateshead, was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to ten counts of sexual abuse against a 15-year-old boy. The offences took place between August 2003 and February 2004. The case was investigated by Northumbria Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People team following a report from the victim in October 2014. The charges included multiple counts of indecent assault, gross indecency, and inciting acts of gross indecency with a child under 16.

Earlier, in March 2012, Strange received a six-year prison sentence after being convicted of abusing young boys. The court heard that Strange, a respected coach and club captain at Bill Quay Cricket Club, had exploited his position to target vulnerable boys. Judge Roger Thorn described Strange as being in denial about his actions and highlighted that he had lied throughout the proceedings. The judge emphasized that Strange had targeted pubescent boys while leading a double life, and he showed no remorse for his actions. As part of his sentence, Strange was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order to prevent contact with children.

Throughout his career, Strange was known for his expertise in coaching talented young cricketers and scouting for promising players for Durham County Cricket Club. His reputation was tarnished by his criminal activities, which involved giving alcohol to victims and sexually assaulting them on multiple occasions. His offences in the 1990s involved victims as young as 12, and he consistently denied the allegations. His family has publicly supported him, and he has reportedly found it difficult to cope with his imprisonment while awaiting sentencing.

As investigations continue, the full extent of Michael Strange’s misconduct remains under review, and authorities are urging any additional victims or witnesses to come forward to ensure justice is served for all those affected by his actions.