COLIN WHITE JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN DURHAM
A man identified as Colin White, who served as a postman, has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of serious sexual offences committed against a teenage girl nearly two decades ago in Durham.The court heard that White, now aged 60, engaged in grooming and indecent assault on the girl when she was underage, leaving her with long-lasting emotional scars, including depression and feelings of guilt.
The incidents took place roughly around the early 2000s, according to court records.
Durham Crown Court was informed that White had targeted the vulnerable teenager, often providing her with alcohol and cigarettes before subjecting her to sexually inappropriate conduct.
These actions were carried out while the girl was, at times, truanting from school and visiting White's home without parental supervision.
White appeared in court on a Wednesday via a video link from HMP Durham to face sentencing.
He was convicted following a trial that concluded just the previous week, where the evidence was found sufficient to establish his guilt on two counts of indecent assault.
The prosecution was led by Chris Baker, who detailed White’s manipulative tactics, stating, "He would ply her with alcohol before the behaviour took place." Baker also highlighted the grooming process, noting that White's actions were marked by apparent kindness initially, which facilitated the vulnerable girl’s trust in him.
The court was presented with a victim statement from the now adult woman, who recounted that she had struggled with mental health issues, including depression, and that she had attempted to take her own life at one point in her past.
The woman expressed feelings of misplaced guilt, stating, "He essentially groomed me for his own sexual gratification," and described how her experiences had profoundly impacted her lifelong wellbeing.
During the hearing, White’s defense attorney, Robert Mochrie, emphasized that his client had no prior criminal record and had worked throughout his life.
Mochrie also noted that White was dealing with personal difficulties while trying to support his family.
He stressed that the crimes occurred two decades ago and that White had not committed any similar offences since.
Judge James Adkin, presiding over the case, delivered the sentence, stating that White was working as a postman at the time of the offences when he exploited a young girl who was especially vulnerable due to her isolated circumstances.
He remarked, "She was particularly vulnerable by age and isolation," before handing down a sentence of seven years imprisonment.
Additionally, White was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim from further contact.
This case underscores the devastating impact of grooming and sexual exploitation on young individuals and highlights ongoing efforts within Durham to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice and safeguard vulnerable members of the community.
