CURTIS WARREN SPENNYMOOR PAEDOPHILE SENT TO JAIL FOR RAPE IN BISHOP AUCKLAND

In a case that has shocked the local community, Curtis Warren, a delivery driver from Spennymoor, was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl in his vehicle. The incident took place during his routine deliveries in the Wear Valley area, specifically in Bishop Auckland, where the crime was committed.

The court proceedings revealed that Warren, who was employed by a pizza shop in Bishop Auckland, engaged in sexual activity with the young girl in his Vauxhall Corsa between February 12 and 15 of the previous year. Despite his conviction, Warren continues to deny having had sexual relations with the girl, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial.

The case came to light after the girl’s mother became aware of the incident and reported her concerns to the police last February. The young girl, who was reportedly infatuated with Warren and considered a willing participant, did not explicitly complain about being raped during her statement. Instead, her account prompted an investigation that led police to the isolated pub car park of the Toronto Lodge Inn in Bishop Auckland.

Evidence collected from the scene included a condom found in the car park, which contained Warren’s DNA, as confirmed by forensic analysis. Prosecutor Paul Newcombe highlighted this crucial piece of evidence during the trial. Warren attempted to dismiss the evidence by claiming that the girl was lying because he had rejected her advances, and he fabricated stories to explain the presence of the condom.

After a trial at Teesside Crown Court, a jury found Warren guilty of one charge of rape. He was acquitted of three additional rape charges and one attempted rape charge, along with charges of assault by penetration and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity related to the same girl.

In mitigation, Ian West, representing Warren, argued that the young girl had developed a crush on him, and that Warren’s actions stemmed from an immature inability to resist temptation. The judge, Tony Briggs, ordered Warren to register as a sex offender indefinitely. However, he decided against imposing a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, citing submissions from Mr West that Warren was not considered a danger to the public.

Judge Briggs commented that Warren’s first prison sentence, coupled with the nature of his conviction, would likely serve as a sufficient lesson. Warren, who resides on St Paul’s Close in Spennymoor, was also warned that his imprisonment would be a harsh experience, given the circumstances and the community’s perception of his actions.