ANDREW HARTLEY SENTENCED IN SUNDERLAND FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the Sunderland community, Andrew Hartley, a former youth worker, was convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offences committed over a span of more than two decades. The victims, now women in their twenties, courageously came forward to testify against Hartley, revealing the extent of his predatory behavior that began when they were as young as six years old.

Hartley, aged 51 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of multiple charges, including 11 counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency with a child. The offences took place across various locations in Sunderland, with Hartley exploiting his position and opportunities to be alone with his victims. The court heard that he would often lure the young girls by offering sweets and money, only to then subject them to disturbing acts such as simulating sex, touching their private parts, or performing oral sex on them.

The two sisters, who are now in their twenties, played a pivotal role in bringing Hartley to justice. Their mother expressed her pride in their bravery, stating, "They are both mothers, they were thinking of the kids and they have been very brave girls to go through all this to stop him." The sisters' decision to break their silence was driven by a desire to prevent Hartley from abusing other children, a move that ultimately led to his conviction.

Details of the case emerged during a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, where it was revealed that Hartley, residing on Ravenna Road, Red House, had used any opportunity to be alone with the young girls, who ranged in age from six to 14 at the time of the assaults. The mother of two victims described how her daughters' suffering was compounded by Hartley's denial and lack of remorse. She recounted how her children endured years of silence, suffering in silence and being called liars by Hartley, who showed no remorse and smirked as he left court.

She expressed her anguish, saying, "He has put my kids through a lot. They have suffered all these years in silence, kept it all to themselves. He has called them liars. That was ironic. He wasn’t even sorry or remorseful. He just smirked at us as he went out of court. He is going to suffer now. I can’t put into words what I think of him, he is sick." The mother also shared her initial shock upon discovering what had happened, revealing that she had no idea of her daughters' experiences until one of them confided in a counselor. She described the emotional toll on her family, stating, "Everybody is going through hell. I have got a counsellor, my daughters have, my mam has, everyone has. My family have been great, it has brought us closer together. I didn’t think it would hit us as bad at first, I was just numb. After a few days I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown."

Following his guilty plea, Hartley's defense lawyer, John Evans, acknowledged the profound impact of the sentence, emphasizing that the punishment would extend beyond prison. "The punishment is in one sense only part of his punishment he will experience for the rest of his life, that is the complete detachment from his family," Evans said. He added that Hartley, who had worked with children at the Ford and Pennywell Advice Centre in Sunderland until his arrest, would face significant personal consequences.

Judge David Wood described Hartley as a "considerable risk to young children in future" and imposed an extended supervision order lasting five years after his release from prison. The judge emphasized that the extended sentence was necessary to ensure the safety of potential future victims, stating, "The extended sentence is to protect girls from any harm from you long into the future." The case has left a lasting impact on the Sunderland community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the courage of victims who choose to speak out against abuse.