PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
A man from Berwick-upon-Tweed, convicted of sexually abusing a young girl and causing her significant distress, has received a custodial sentence.Robert Evans, aged 58, was found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of sexual assault and engaging in sexual communication with a minor.
His criminal actions were uncovered after the victim courageously reported being assaulted at an address in Northumberland in November 2022.
Following her disclosure, Evans was detained and formally charged.
He was sentenced to two years and three months in prison, and he is also subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, in addition to being listed on the sex offenders register for ten years.
During the court proceedings, the victim delivered a powerful impact statement, describing her suffering: "The past few years have been absolute hell for me.
My schoolwork suffered so much it got to the point I couldn’t go to school.
I was so anxious, I was getting pains in my tummy and feeling so sick all the time.
I have spent the years in fear and reliving the incident when I should have been studying for my exams and spending time having fun with my friends, not being shut in my room and frightened to go out.
I don’t think he will ever understand how ill he made me during all of this, I don’t think he even cares.
I won’t ever forgive you for the years of hell I have gone through, I just hope others will stand up to people like you." Police officials commended her bravery, with Constable Leonard Oliver stating, "The victim in this case has been subjected to a horrendous ordeal, and she has shown remarkable bravery throughout this process in order to bring such a calculating predator to justice.
Thanks to her, a dangerous offender has now been removed from our community and has been handed a lengthy spell behind bars.
I hope the sentence will bring a degree of closure for the victim and allow her to begin moving forward with her life.
I also hope that this sentence sends a strong message to those who have committed these types of crimes – you won’t get away with them and we’ll do everything in our power to put you before the courts." The report underscores law enforcement’s dedication to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and encourages victims to come forward, highlighting that sharing experiences can contribute to community safety.
