SCARBOROUGH CHILD SEX OFFENDER CRAIG MIDDLEMISS SENTENCED FOR ABUSE IN WHITBY

A man identified as Craig Middlemiss has been sentenced to over nine years in prison after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The offences took place in Whitby, a seaside town in North Yorkshire, and Middlemiss, who was 39 years old at the time, was convicted of grooming and sexually assaulting the girl on multiple occasions.

The court heard that the abuse inflicted upon the young victim was both severe and deeply damaging, with the effects described as 'catastrophic' by the prosecution. Prosecutor Chris Dunn detailed how Middlemiss, originally from Whitby but later residing in Scarborough, had repeatedly coerced the girl into silence, instructing her not to disclose what was happening. The girl, who was described as 'frightened,' initially kept her ordeal hidden but eventually confided in a teacher at her school, prompting police intervention.

Following her disclosure, Middlemiss was arrested and faced charges of eight counts of sexual offences. He ultimately admitted to one count of sexually assaulting a girl under 13 years of age and another count related to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Mr. Dunn explained that Middlemiss had sexually assaulted the girl on at least three or four separate occasions over a prolonged period. Additionally, he forced her to perform a sexual act on him on no fewer than four occasions.

The prosecutor highlighted the victim’s fear, stating, '(The girl) said she was scared to refuse what the defendant was forcing her to do because he might hurt her.' He added that the prosecution could not specify the exact number of times each type of offence occurred. The girl was aware that Middlemiss’s actions were wrong but felt powerless to stop him. She was told not to tell anyone and remained silent for as long as she could, driven by fear.

Mr. Dunn described the emotional toll on the victim, revealing that she began to feel extremely low and started contemplating ending her life. She felt trapped and anxious throughout the ordeal, trying to shut herself off from the outside world. Her mental health deteriorated to the point where she struggled to sleep, and her school performance suffered significantly. Eventually, her distress led her to disclose the abuse to a teacher, but her emotional state was marked by persistent fear and confusion. She believed she had done something wrong, which compounded her suffering.

The young girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, experienced severe psychological consequences, including withdrawal from friends, intense anxiety, self-harming behaviors, and constant flashbacks. Her academic progress was hindered, and she stopped eating properly. To help her cope, she was prescribed medication to aid her sleep, as her depression and sadness became overwhelming.

During the sentencing hearing, defense counsel Sean Smith acknowledged that Middlemiss had no prior criminal record and was described as a hardworking family man. Smith expressed confusion over why Middlemiss, in a moment of apparent loss of control, would commit such offences, suggesting that personal struggles may have contributed to his actions.

Judge Bryan Cox QC condemned Middlemiss’s conduct as 'disgraceful' and 'callous,' emphasizing the grooming of a particularly vulnerable girl and the profound impact on her well-being. The judge noted that the abuse was sustained and involved various forms of sexual activity, causing significant distress that would likely persist. Addressing Middlemiss directly, the judge stated, 'It is clear that your conduct caused her very considerable distress and it will continue to do so. You were principally interested in your sexual gratification.'

As part of his sentence, Middlemiss was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison, with a requirement to serve two-thirds of that term behind bars. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to a sexual-harm prevention order, which will remain in effect indefinitely.