DARREN LOUGH FROM CONSETT JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON GIRL IN DURHAM

In a case that has shocked the local community of Consett and the surrounding areas, Darren Richard Lough was sentenced to prison after a disturbing incident involving a young girl in Durham. The court heard that the offending took place in November 2013, when Lough, then 30 years old, engaged in inappropriate behaviour towards a 15-year-old girl.

According to court proceedings, Lough initially offered to teach the girl how to groom a horse, a seemingly innocent gesture that quickly took a troubling turn. The court was told that during this interaction, Lough displayed grooming-type behaviour, which was deemed inappropriate given the context and the girl’s age. The situation escalated when Lough propositioned the girl for sex in the stables, an act that was both shocking and deeply upsetting for the young victim.

Prosecutor Shaun Dodds explained that Lough’s actions included squeezing the girl’s buttock with some force, an act that left her feeling distressed and had a lasting impact on her. The court was also informed that her mother expressed concern about Lough’s understanding of appropriate boundaries when interacting with younger females. She noted that Lough’s behaviour seemed to be more controlled when other adults were present, suggesting a lack of awareness or disregard for personal boundaries when alone with the girl.

The court heard that the girl’s experience with Lough not only caused immediate emotional distress but also affected her academic performance and overall well-being. Despite Lough’s claims that his actions were a one-off incident, evidence suggested a pattern of grooming, particularly through his connection with horses, which added a layer of concern about his intentions.

Initially denying the allegations, Lough, of Gill Street, Consett, changed his plea to admit to sexually touching a child just before the trial was set to begin. His admission came after a period of denial, which the court considered in its sentencing decision. In addition to the primary offence, Lough also admitted to three breaches of a non-molestation order, which he violated by persistently attempting to contact a former partner despite a court injunction.

The court was told that Lough’s breaches of bail and court orders caused significant fear and distress to the victim, leading her to move home for safety reasons. The judge, Simon Hickey, sentenced Lough to a total of two years and five months in prison. Furthermore, he imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits Lough from having unsupervised contact with females under the age of 16. Lough was also required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, reflecting the seriousness of his offences and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.