ALCOHOLIC MAN JAILED FOR A DECADE FOR SERIAL SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS

A man dubbed a “serial abuser of girls” was recently sentenced to ten years in prison. The offender, Andrew Stephen Brown, was found guilty of carrying out a series of sexual offences after he was reported by a girl in November 2007. Brown, who was an alcoholic, engaged in his criminal activities after luring victims with drinks, often adopting an "open house" policy at his residence. Durham Crown Court heard that he committed these offenses while living in Durham City and Jarrow. Despite denying the charges initially and being granted bail, further complaints and arrests revealed the extent of his abuse. Prosecutor Amanda Rippon described Brown as a "serial sexual abuser of girls, unable to control his urges," and noted that he believed the victims would never report or be believed. Brown, aged 44 at the time, pleaded guilty to seven charges out of 19, with the prosecution accepting these pleas and dropping the others. His defense argued that his behavior was opportunistic, linked to heavy drinking—up to five liters of vodka daily—and a period of separation from his wife. The judge, Guy Whitburn, ordered a seven-year extended license period upon release, a lifetime ban from working with children, and mandated that he sign the Sex Offenders’ Register. Additionally, he was imposed with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, emphasizing the serious nature of his crimes, highlighting the danger he posed to young girls, and demonstrating the court’s response to such offenses.