RONALD TEMPLE'S REIGN OF TERROR IN NEWCASTLE AND SHEFFIELD ENDS WITH 83-YEAR-OLD PREDATOR BEHIND BARS

In a disturbing case that has spanned decades, Ronald Temple, an 83-year-old man with a long history of sexual offenses against children, has been sentenced to serve a substantial prison term following his latest conviction. The case, heard at Newcastle Crown Court, has once again brought to light the chilling details of Temple's past crimes, which include offenses committed in both Sheffield and Newcastle.

Temple, a twice-married widower and great-grandfather, has a criminal record dating back to 1969, when he was first imprisoned for indecently assaulting a young boy. His pattern of offending persisted over the years, with a subsequent conviction in 1981 for a brutal attack on a 14-year-old girl in Sheffield. During that incident, the court heard that Temple traveled to Sheffield, where the girl had been relocated, and engaged in a violent confrontation. Penny Moreland, the prosecutor, described how Temple argued with the girl and used a scarf to choke her, causing her to lose consciousness and sustain blood vessels in her eyes, forehead, and face. Following this assault, Temple sexually assaulted his victim.

After serving a seven-year sentence for the Sheffield attack, Temple appeared to have reformed. He remarried and was believed to have turned away from his past behaviors. However, the tragic death of his second wife marked a turning point, and it was then that Temple reportedly resumed his predatory activities, targeting underage boys. Court proceedings revealed that he sought out a 15-year-old boy, offering cash and gifts in exchange for sexual favors. Despite his advanced age and health issues, including the use of a walking stick, Temple was able to carry out three separate sexual assaults against the young victim within a six-month period.

Most recently, in Newcastle, Temple was found guilty of molesting a schoolboy from Tyneside. The court was told that Temple lured the boy to his home, where he committed the offenses. The judge, Brian Forster, described the case as extremely serious, emphasizing the profound impact on the victim, who reported that his life had been shattered by the ordeal. The probation officer’s report further highlighted that Temple poses a high risk of harm to children, underscoring the danger he continues to represent.

During the court proceedings, Temple, who was present via the court’s hearing-loop system, admitted to three counts of sexual assault. Due to the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses, Judge Forster sentenced him to six years and six months in prison. Additionally, Temple was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having any contact with children. He was also disqualified from working in any capacity involving under-16s.

Defense lawyer Tom Moran argued that Temple’s health had significantly deteriorated since his arrest, suggesting that the court might consider an alternative to incarceration, such as a community-based sentence. However, Judge Forster firmly rejected this plea, stating that the gravity of Temple’s offenses, the impact on his victims, and the high risk of reoffending necessitated a custodial sentence. The judge emphasized that the court must prioritize the safety of children and the community, given Temple’s long history of sexual offenses spanning over four decades.