RICHARD DENHAM

BISHOP AUCKLAND MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR PAST SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL

A 33-year-old man, Richard Denham, has been sentenced for serious sexual offences committed in his youth.

The court heard that Denham, of Pasture Row, Eldon, near Bishop Auckland, was involved in multiple acts of indecent assault, indecency with a child, and attempted rape, which he admitted during his first court appearance.

The offences included two attempts at raping a younger girl when he was in his teens, with the abuse beginning when he was around ten years old and ending between the ages of 15 and 17.

The victim, now an adult, expressed deep psychological harm caused by the abuse and regret for not reporting it earlier, feeling guilt over not speaking out sooner.

Court documents reveal that Denham has a prior conviction from October 2004 for gross indecency with a child under 16, to which he pleaded guilty and received a community rehabilitation order and a five-year sex offender registration.

The judge sentenced Denham to 68 months in prison and ordered a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order, along with a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender.

The judge stated, "You knew what you were doing was quite wrong and made it clear you didn’t want to get caught."