BERNARD MITCHELL SHOCKS CARNABY AND NORTH YORKSHIRE WITH 12-YEAR SENTENCE FOR ABUSE OF TWO SISTERS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Carnaby and the wider North Yorkshire area, Bernard Mitchell, a 73-year-old lorry driver, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the sexual abuse of two young sisters. The heinous acts took place over a period of several years, with Mitchell using threats and manipulation to silence his victims, one of whom was only nine years old when the abuse began.

According to the prosecution, led by Conor Quinn, Mitchell targeted the older sister first, coercing her into silence through intimidation. Unbeknownst to her at the time, he was also abusing her younger sibling, a revelation that only emerged nearly two decades later when the older sister finally broke her silence. The court heard that the abuse was so pervasive and normalized in the victims’ minds that the younger sister described it as becoming “just ‘normal’,” a chilling testament to the extent of the trauma inflicted.

Mitchell, who resides on Church Lane in Carnaby, near Bridlington, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including five counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. His guilty plea came before the court, leading to his sentencing. Judge Simon Hickey, referencing the statement of the younger sister to police, emphasized the severity of the abuse, highlighting its frequency and the profound impact it had on the victims’ lives.

As part of his punishment, Mitchell was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. Additionally, he was subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, which explicitly prohibits him from contacting either of the sisters, engaging with any girl under the age of 16, or sharing a residence with any girl under 16. These measures are designed to prevent any future harm and to protect other potential victims from Mitchell’s predatory behavior.

During the court proceedings, Alex Menary, representing Mitchell, acknowledged the gravity of the case, noting that there was little he could say in mitigation. It was revealed that Mitchell was on medication for high blood pressure and other health conditions at the time of the offenses. Following the revelations of his crimes, Mitchell faced social isolation; his family cut ties with him, and his long-standing wife left him, underscoring the personal toll of his actions.

The timeline of the abuse indicates that Mitchell began assaulting each girl when she was approximately nine years old, with the abusive episodes continuing over a span of five years. The case came to light in January 2018, when the older sister, now an adult, confided in her younger sibling about the abuse she had endured. Her revelation shocked her sister, who had also been subjected to the same treatment, leading to the eventual police investigation.

In her victim personal statement, the older sister described how the abuse had prematurely exposed her to sexual awareness, which subsequently caused difficulties in her school life and in forming relationships during her teenage years. The case has highlighted the devastating long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims who finally find the courage to speak out.