Northumberland predator jailed for 11 years after 'appalling' sex attack on woman caught on CCTV
Mark Newton, of Seaton Delaval, was caught on CCTV abusing the victim after taking her out of a pub and away from her family
by Rob Kennedy · ChronicleLiveA predator subjected a vulnerable woman with the mental age of a young child to an "appalling" sex attack after luring her away from her family in a pub.
The victim, who has obvious and profound learning difficulties, was taken around the back of a pub where bins were stored and, in shocking scenes caught on CCTV, he subjected her to a sex attack.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim's family have been left disgusted and devastated by Newton's actions. Now he has been jailed for more than 11 years after admitting sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice.
Anne Richardson, prosecuting, told the court: "She has learning difficulties, which are obvious to anyone who encountered her." Experts say the victim has the mental age of a young child and she does not have the capacity to consent to sexual activity.
On the evening of the attack, her family took her to a pub to allow her to enjoy a social setting while under their care and supervision. She was dancing and Miss Richardson said: "It would appear that the defendant was watching her dance and the complainant started to speak to him.
"A doorman in the pub noticed the defendant and the complainant walking round the corner, which he thought was unusual. At about 9.30pm her family noticed that she was missing from the pub, and frantically began to search for her.
"She eventually returned to the pub and told her family that she had been sexually assaulted. CCTV was examined and showed that the complainant and the defendant had walked together from the pub and round the corner, to where the bins were."
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Once there, Newton sexually assaulted her in various ways and had sex with her. The entirety of the sexual offending was captured by the CCTV.
Miss Richardson added: "Once at the pub door, the defendant briefly stated to the complainant’s family that it was his fault that she was outside, before leaving, and the complainant told her family what had happened, albeit she said that the defendant had told her not to say anything,
"She told her family that the defendant had suggested taking her outside for a cigarette, taking her hand, and although she had asked him if she could go back to her parents several times, he refused. The police were called immediately, and CCTV was viewed."
Newton, 61 of Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, who said he had consumed ten pints of alcohol, repeatedly denied sexual activity when quizzed by police, even when faced with DNA evidence. However he eventually pleaded guilty.
As he was sentenced, the victim's dad said in an impact statement: "Since the assault I've noticed how withdrawn she is. She's very wary of communicating with others, which is sad to see.
"As a family we are disgusted with what that man has done to our daughter. She is extremely vulnerable and we feel he preyed on her to take her away from her family when he could to abuse her. It's had a great impact on our family."
He branded Newton's initial denials of what he had done as "cruel and thoughtless" and added: "That man has tainted our trust in people.
"The fact he has sexually abused (the victim), who clearly has learning difficulties shows what he is capable of. I will never forgive what he has done to my daughter and he should be held accountable for his actions."
Passing sentence, Judge Amanda Rippon said: "I've seen a lot but I've rarely seen something as shameful as this. Your impact on that young woman is significant and I suspect, sadly, will be lifelong."
Regarding the victim's family, the judge added: "I know they will feel they let her down. They didn't.
"They took her somewhere safe, that should have been safe. Unfortunately on that night, instead of being met by love and kindness of people in the pub she met a predator, someone who was prepared to put his sexual gratification above all else."
Newton was jailed for 11 years and three months, of which he will serve two-thirds before he can be released. He must also sign the sex offenders register for life and was given an indefinite restraining order.
Ian Cook, defending, said the only mitigation was Newton's guilty plea. He added: "I concede these are appalling offences. He is quite rightly shameful of his conduct on this occasion and has demonstrated some remorse."
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