ANDREW SNOOK SENTENCED IN SOUTH TYNESIDE FOR SEXUAL OFFENCE AGAINST YOUNG BOY
UPDATE 09/05/2026------------------------------------- The mother of a child targeted by an Edinburgh paedophile who pretended to be mute to snare her son was told the beast was free from prison via text message.A man from South Tyneside, Andrew Snook, who has a history of sexual offences against boys, has been sentenced after offering a young boy ice cream before committing a sexual offence.
Snook, 56, of Boldon Colliery, approached the young boy and invited him to his home, where he asked the child to remove his clothes.
The incident was reported when the boy later informed his mother about what had occurred.
On Wednesday, Snook appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to receive his sentence for causing a child to engage in sexual activity, having pleaded guilty to the charge.
Prosecutor David Povall stated that Snook has previous convictions related to sexual offending.
He explained that Snook was identified after the child disclosed the incident, saying: "There had been a discussion as to whether he would get an ice cream." The court was informed that Snook has a longstanding pattern of sexual interest in young boys, with offences dating back to the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1996, he committed common assault by covering a young boy’s mouth and forcibly dragging him into a house before the child managed to escape.
Defence barrister Geoff Knowles argued that Snook had served two previous prison terms but had since lived a law-abiding life.
He added, "He is a lonely man and suffered abuse when he was much younger.
Some issues in his past contributed to this behaviour.
He knows he will face a custodial sentence for these matters.
He is sorry, and sorry for the upset he has caused." Judge Stephen Earl sentenced Snook to four years and eleven months in prison.
Additionally, he was placed on the sex offender register for life, subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, and issued a restraining order to prevent contact with the victim.
