Hylton Road Man jailed for rape of underage girl

A man from Hylton Road has been jailed for the rape of a young girl under the age of 16.

Frederick Newton, 61, was convicted and sentenced after his victim came forward to report non-recent abuse.

The woman was interviewed by specialist Northumbria Police detectives, but Newton maintained his innocence. However, he was subsequently charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16.

He maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty but, during a trial in June this year at Newcastle Crown Court, a jury saw through his lies and found him guilty of two rape charges.

Last month, a judge heard a specially-written statement from the victim, where she spoke of the years of torment she’d endured and asked the judge to consider giving Newton the maximum penalty to ‘protect others from him’.

On August 14, he was sentenced to 15 years behind bars, placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for Life, given a restraining order preventing him ever contacting the victim again and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Northumbria Police have subsequently urged any victim to have the courage to come forwards and speak to their officers, who are prepared to provide specialist support.