ANTHONY HUNTINGTON OF PETERLEE JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN NORTHUMBERLAND

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Peterlee, Anthony Huntington has been sentenced to prison after a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The offences came to light following a Facebook interaction, where the victim, now an adult, reached out to Huntington to confront him about the past abuse. This contact prompted a series of revelations that led to his conviction and subsequent sentencing.

Huntington, aged 55 and residing on Northumberland Place in Peterlee, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault. The court heard that he had engaged in a pattern of inappropriate behavior over a period of time, during which he exploited the victim's trust and affection. The abuse involved giving her cider to drink and sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions. The severity of the case was underscored by the victim's emotional testimony, in which she described her feelings of confusion and trauma.

In her victim impact statement, she expressed her distress and the lasting scars left by Huntington's actions. She stated, “I didn’t know it was wrong at the time. Huntington gave me the attention I didn’t get at home, so I didn’t push him away. What happened has traumatised me, I’m disgusted that anyone could treat a child in the way he treated me. I have trouble sleeping, and have thoughts of ending my life.”

The case was further complicated by Huntington’s attempt to justify his actions during the Facebook exchange. He claimed that he never intended to hurt her, professing love and a desire to protect her, but admitted that his feelings had become muddled. He also expressed remorse, stating he was disgusted with himself. Prosecutor Sean Dodds explained that Huntington’s responses indicated a recognition of the wrongfulness of his conduct, yet he continued his behavior despite knowing its corrupting influence.

Judge Timothy Roberts QC, presiding over the case at Durham Crown Court, sentenced Huntington to four years in prison. The judge emphasized that Huntington had taken advantage of the girl’s crush on him and had persisted in his misconduct over an extended period. Although the sexual activity was deemed to be consensual, the judge highlighted that Huntington was fully aware of the corrupting nature of his actions and chose to continue.

In addition to his prison sentence, Huntington was subjected to a 10-year order banning him from having unsupervised contact with children. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community.

Earlier in September 2017, Huntington faced similar allegations when he admitted to sexually assaulting a teenage girl approximately 20 years prior. At that time, he was a member of the Salvation Army in Peterlee and was described as being of otherwise good character. He pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault, which occurred over a 12-month period when the girl was a minor. The court was told that Huntington accepted a sexual relationship with the girl, but only when she was slightly older.

During the proceedings, Huntington’s legal representative requested that only three of the six charges be considered, acknowledging his acceptance of the sexual activity. Prosecutor Shaun Dodds indicated that the Crown Prosecution Service would verify the details with the complainant and that the court would be informed accordingly. The judge ordered a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service and warned Huntington that a custodial sentence was highly likely upon his return to court.

Huntington was released on bail until October 13, pending sentencing. He was also instructed to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register on an interim basis, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community of Peterlee and beyond.