WILLIAM ORCHIN FROM HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING SENTENCED IN NEWCASTLE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the community of Houghton-le-Spring and the wider North East region, William Orchin, a 34-year-old man from Houghton-le-Spring, has been sentenced to a substantial prison term of 14 years for a series of serious sexual offences. The case gained significant media attention after Orchin became a fugitive during the investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse against him.

In March 2019, Orchin disappeared from his residence in Houghton-le-Spring, just as police were preparing to question him regarding the allegations. His sudden disappearance prompted a nationwide manhunt, with authorities concerned for his welfare and the potential risk he posed to others. The police launched an extensive search, which eventually led to his location in Scotland, specifically in the Inverness area. Orchin was found traveling in a Vauxhall Corsa and was subsequently detained by Northumbria Police officers who traveled approximately 600 miles to bring him back to the North East for questioning.

Following his arrest, Orchin was charged with a total of 16 sexual offences, including rape, sexual activity, and sexual assault. The charges stemmed from allegations made by two victims, who, for legal reasons, cannot be publicly identified. Orchin appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link from HMP Durham, where he pleaded guilty to all charges. His guilty plea covered offences that involved causing or inciting children to engage in sexual activities, as well as direct sexual assault and rape.

Judge Robert Adams presided over the case and informed Orchin that he would be remanded in custody until the sentencing hearing scheduled for June 20. The judge emphasized that Orchin would need to register as a sex offender and highlighted the importance of the pre-sentence reports, including psychiatric assessments, which would inform the final sentencing decision. The judge also acknowledged Orchin’s full admissions during police interviews and his guilty plea, which would be taken into account during sentencing.

Detective Sergeant William Kemp of the Northumbria Police Safeguarding Department expressed his condemnation of Orchin’s actions, describing the crimes as “truly awful.” He praised the bravery of the victims who came forward and urged others who have experienced abuse to seek help and report their experiences. Kemp also stressed the importance of educating children about sexual abuse and how to report it, emphasizing that recent learning about sexual abuse helped victims identify themselves as such.

Orchin’s disappearance in March prompted a significant police operation. Officers from Northumbria Police’s Southern CID team worked tirelessly to locate him, and their efforts culminated in his safe recovery in Scotland. The case underscores the importance of swift police action in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and bringing offenders to justice, especially in cases involving child sexual abuse. Orchin’s case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and community awareness in protecting children from exploitation and harm.