ANDREW LONG SHAMES SUNDERLAND TEENAGE GIRLS AT PUMA PARK IN SILKSWORTH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Sunderland community, Andrew Long, a 19-year-old man from Sunderland, was found guilty of sexually abusing two teenage girls at Puma Park Tennis Centre in Silksworth. The incident took place last year and has since become a matter of serious concern for local residents and authorities alike.

According to court proceedings, Long, who was 18 at the time of the offences, engaged in inappropriate and intimate contact with the two girls, aged 13 and 14. The court heard that Long’s actions were motivated by his own low self-esteem, which he reportedly struggled with for some time. The abuse occurred within the confines of Puma Park Tennis Centre, a popular recreational spot in Silksworth, where the girls had gathered to watch Long perform freerunning—a form of outdoor acrobatics that involves complex flips and jumps.

Prosecutor Katherine Dunn revealed that Long had been flattered by the girls’ interest in him, which led to him buying alcohol for them. The girls, in turn, had shown interest in him, and this interaction appeared to have emboldened Long to act on his impulses. The court was informed that the sexual activities, which included intimate touching, were carried out with the girls’ apparent consent, though the court emphasized that both girls were underage and legally unable to give such consent.

During the trial, it was disclosed that Long had lied about his age when confronted by one of the girls’ fathers. He initially claimed to be 16 but later admitted to being 18, breaking down in tears when challenged. Miss Dunn highlighted the emotional toll the incidents had taken on the victims, noting that the first girl’s family arguments increased, and she became visibly upset whenever the subject was discussed at home. The second girl, traumatized by the experience, stopped visiting the park altogether to avoid encountering Long again. She also suffered from weight loss, stress, and difficulties at school as a result of the ordeal.

Further disturbing details emerged when it was revealed that Long had befriended one of the girls on Facebook and had asked her to strip, an offer she refused. Long was arrested on November 19 of the previous year in connection with these offences.

Defence lawyer Glenn Gatland described Long as a young man suffering from low self-esteem, explaining that he had been bullied in the past and lacked confidence around girls. Gatland suggested that Long’s actions were driven by a desire for validation, which he claimed might explain his loss of control. However, Judge Roger Thorn QC acknowledged the mitigating circumstances but emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “The fact of the matter is these children were, of course, both too young in fact and in law to give consent.”

Long pleaded guilty to two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The court sentenced him to a community order with three years of supervision, a sexual offences prevention order for five years, and ordered him to register as a sex offender for five years. The case has left a lasting impact on the Sunderland community, raising concerns about the safety of young people in public spaces and the importance of safeguarding measures in recreational areas.