STEPHEN ORD FROM BLYTH SENTENCED FOR DECADE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN NEWCASTLE

In a harrowing case that spanned over ten years, a man from Blyth named Stephen Ord has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young girls. The offences, which included multiple counts of rape and indecent assault, targeted victims as young as six years old, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that persisted over an extended period.

Stephen Ord, aged 54 and residing on Taylor Street in Blyth, faced a Newcastle Crown Court trial where he was found guilty of 19 separate charges. These charges encompassed rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault against three young girls. Throughout the proceedings, Ord maintained his innocence, consistently denying any involvement or wrongdoing. Despite his protests, the evidence presented during the trial was overwhelming, leading to his conviction.

Following the verdict, one of Ord’s victims, who has since grown into adulthood, publicly shared her emotional response. She stated, “I have had to live with this since I was six. I feel he has taken away my childhood.” Her words underscored the profound and lasting impact of the abuse she endured, highlighting the devastating effects such crimes can have on victims’ lives.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge John Milford QC addressed Ord directly, describing the gravity of his crimes. The judge expressed his belief that Ord had committed hundreds of offences against these young girls over the course of more than a decade. He noted that Ord had shown no remorse throughout the trial, which further alarmed the court. “I am satisfied you have committed hundreds of offences against these girls over at least a decade,” Judge Milford said. “You have not shown any degree of remorse. You are in my view an extreme danger to young girls.”

As a result of his conviction, Ord was sentenced to an indefinite term of imprisonment, with a minimum of eight years to be served before he could be considered for parole. Even after his release, he will remain under supervision for life, required to sign the sex offenders register and will be disqualified from working with children for the rest of his life. These measures are designed to protect the community and prevent further harm.

In a statement following the court proceedings, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Barton of Northumberland Area Command expressed his thoughts on the case. “Stephen Ord showed no remorse whatsoever for the offences he committed,” he said. “I am extremely grateful and immensely impressed by the courage of the victims who stood and gave their evidence in front of Ord. It is due to their bravery and effort that he finds himself imprisoned for a very long time.” He also emphasized that such cases, while deeply troubling, are thankfully rare, and reaffirmed Northumbria Police’s commitment to pursuing justice for victims of sexual abuse. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts to combat such crimes in the community.