ALAN NORSTER'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN MIDDLESBROUGH AND NORTH SHIELDS: A CHILD ABUSER'S REIGN OF TERROR REVEALED
| Red Rose Database
Middlesbrough North Shields Rapist
In a chilling case that has shocked the communities of Middlesbrough and North Shields, Alan Norster, aged 56, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of multiple heinous sex offences involving two young girls. The crimes, committed decades ago, were brought to light during a harrowing court hearing at Teesside Crown Court, where the full extent of Norster’s wicked actions was laid bare.
Judge Les Spittle expressed his profound disgust and frustration at Norster’s conduct, stating, “I wish I could quite frankly give you a sentence on every one of these offences and add them all up. If I did that I’d end up with an American-type sentence of hundreds of years. I can’t do that. I’m bound by the way our system works.” Despite the limitations of the legal framework, the judge sentenced Norster to 12 years in prison, along with a series of concurrent sentences for a total of 14 sex offences. The judge also issued an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, prohibiting Norster from having contact with girls under the age of 16, and mandated lifetime registration on the sex offenders’ register.
Throughout the proceedings, the two victims, now adults and unable to be named for legal reasons, listened intently as the court heard the disturbing details of their childhood and teenage trauma. One of the victims, in a statement read aloud in court, expressed a surprising sense of compassion towards her abuser, saying, “My only hope is that you too will eventually be able to get the help and support you need to move on with your life and be at peace.” Judge Spittle described her words as “amazing” and a testament to her remarkable resilience and empathy, remarking that such compassion was “frankly, I doubt I could” possess.
Prosecutor Christine Egerton detailed how Norster, who was living in Middlesbrough and Skelton during the time of the first abuse, manipulated and threatened the first girl to silence her. She recounted how, when the girl attempted to confide in others, her pleas were dismissed with dismissive remarks like “Don’t be daft,” and when she threatened to report Norster, he responded with intimidation, saying, “You’ll be taken away. No one is going to believe you.” Despite her protests and screams, Norster raped her, ignoring her cries for help. The victim described the experience as “horrible and painful,” and recounted how she cried uncontrollably afterward.
Norster’s denial and accusations of lying were met with further abuse, and he continued to assault her, dismissing her distress with callous remarks such as “What are you crying for? Don’t be stupid. Nothing’s happened. It’s all in your head.” The girl later contemplated suicide, feeling overwhelmed by shame and believing she was to blame for what had happened. She revealed that she felt “dirty” and “thought it was my fault,” and expressed her hope that, with time and support, she could learn to trust others and find peace.
The second victim, who was assaulted by Norster when he was an adult, also recounted her ordeal. She described how Norster touched her despite her pleas for him to stop and threatened her to keep quiet. He then raped her, and when she confided in her boyfriend about the abuse, her claims were initially dismissed. The trauma from these experiences affected her relationships and her mental health, leading to feelings of misery and difficulty sitting close to others. Despite a previous conviction and probation order for indecently assaulting another girl, Norster continued to commit sex offences, including attacking her again.
It was only after the victims reported their experiences to the police years later that Norster was arrested. During police interviews, he initially attempted to minimize his actions, offering limited pleas, and even attempted to take his own life. Eventually, he admitted to 10 counts of indecent assault, three counts of rape, and one count of attempted rape.
In mitigation, defense lawyer Brian Mark argued that Norster felt genuine remorse and shame for his actions. He highlighted Norster’s troubled childhood, marked by bullying and mistreatment, which he claimed contributed to his warped psyche. Mr. Mark emphasized that Norster had made a “proper attempt” to take his own life and was sectioned for mental health issues. He stated, “He was never a man at peace,” and acknowledged that Norster’s actions had caused “incalculable damage” to his victims, to which Norster himself expressed deep regret.
Judge Spittle condemned Norster’s pattern of predatory and degrading behaviour, noting the “persistent, appalling pattern” of offences that included threats and manipulation. He emphasized how Norster’s actions had devastated the lives of his victims, who faced the “dreadful” prospect of a trial. The judge acknowledged Norster’s guilty plea, which spared the victims from having to testify in court, but stressed that despite his troubled background, Norster had a choice and chose to commit these crimes.
Currently residing in Christon West View, North Shields, Norster was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, banning him from contact with minors and from working with children. His name will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect potential future victims.
Judge Les Spittle expressed his profound disgust and frustration at Norster’s conduct, stating, “I wish I could quite frankly give you a sentence on every one of these offences and add them all up. If I did that I’d end up with an American-type sentence of hundreds of years. I can’t do that. I’m bound by the way our system works.” Despite the limitations of the legal framework, the judge sentenced Norster to 12 years in prison, along with a series of concurrent sentences for a total of 14 sex offences. The judge also issued an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, prohibiting Norster from having contact with girls under the age of 16, and mandated lifetime registration on the sex offenders’ register.
Throughout the proceedings, the two victims, now adults and unable to be named for legal reasons, listened intently as the court heard the disturbing details of their childhood and teenage trauma. One of the victims, in a statement read aloud in court, expressed a surprising sense of compassion towards her abuser, saying, “My only hope is that you too will eventually be able to get the help and support you need to move on with your life and be at peace.” Judge Spittle described her words as “amazing” and a testament to her remarkable resilience and empathy, remarking that such compassion was “frankly, I doubt I could” possess.
Prosecutor Christine Egerton detailed how Norster, who was living in Middlesbrough and Skelton during the time of the first abuse, manipulated and threatened the first girl to silence her. She recounted how, when the girl attempted to confide in others, her pleas were dismissed with dismissive remarks like “Don’t be daft,” and when she threatened to report Norster, he responded with intimidation, saying, “You’ll be taken away. No one is going to believe you.” Despite her protests and screams, Norster raped her, ignoring her cries for help. The victim described the experience as “horrible and painful,” and recounted how she cried uncontrollably afterward.
Norster’s denial and accusations of lying were met with further abuse, and he continued to assault her, dismissing her distress with callous remarks such as “What are you crying for? Don’t be stupid. Nothing’s happened. It’s all in your head.” The girl later contemplated suicide, feeling overwhelmed by shame and believing she was to blame for what had happened. She revealed that she felt “dirty” and “thought it was my fault,” and expressed her hope that, with time and support, she could learn to trust others and find peace.
The second victim, who was assaulted by Norster when he was an adult, also recounted her ordeal. She described how Norster touched her despite her pleas for him to stop and threatened her to keep quiet. He then raped her, and when she confided in her boyfriend about the abuse, her claims were initially dismissed. The trauma from these experiences affected her relationships and her mental health, leading to feelings of misery and difficulty sitting close to others. Despite a previous conviction and probation order for indecently assaulting another girl, Norster continued to commit sex offences, including attacking her again.
It was only after the victims reported their experiences to the police years later that Norster was arrested. During police interviews, he initially attempted to minimize his actions, offering limited pleas, and even attempted to take his own life. Eventually, he admitted to 10 counts of indecent assault, three counts of rape, and one count of attempted rape.
In mitigation, defense lawyer Brian Mark argued that Norster felt genuine remorse and shame for his actions. He highlighted Norster’s troubled childhood, marked by bullying and mistreatment, which he claimed contributed to his warped psyche. Mr. Mark emphasized that Norster had made a “proper attempt” to take his own life and was sectioned for mental health issues. He stated, “He was never a man at peace,” and acknowledged that Norster’s actions had caused “incalculable damage” to his victims, to which Norster himself expressed deep regret.
Judge Spittle condemned Norster’s pattern of predatory and degrading behaviour, noting the “persistent, appalling pattern” of offences that included threats and manipulation. He emphasized how Norster’s actions had devastated the lives of his victims, who faced the “dreadful” prospect of a trial. The judge acknowledged Norster’s guilty plea, which spared the victims from having to testify in court, but stressed that despite his troubled background, Norster had a choice and chose to commit these crimes.
Currently residing in Christon West View, North Shields, Norster was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, banning him from contact with minors and from working with children. His name will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect potential future victims.