DEVON CRITCHLOW SHOCKS ASHINGTON WITH BRUTAL SEX ATTACK AND ARREST
| Red Rose Database
Ashington Rapist
A disturbing case of sexual violence has culminated in the imprisonment of Devon Critchlow, a man responsible for a terrifying assault on a woman in her own home in Ashington. The incident, which took place in September of the previous year, shocked the local community and prompted a swift police response.
According to reports, Critchlow forcefully entered the victim’s residence after she opened her door, mistakenly believing she was welcoming someone else. Once inside, he launched a violent attack, pinning her down and punching her in the face. The assault escalated to a sexual nature, with Critchlow forcibly engaging in sexual acts with the woman. During the assault, he also wrapped his hands around her neck, attempting to strangle her. Despite the severity of the attack, the victim fought back courageously, resisting Critchlow’s assault.
After the attack, Critchlow stood up, exited the property, and shut the door behind him, leaving the victim shaken but unharmed physically. She immediately reported the incident to Northumbria Police, who responded promptly to her address and launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Law enforcement officers quickly identified a suspect through CCTV footage captured as the victim returned home. The footage was instrumental in the investigation, and the police appealed to the public for assistance in identifying the man seen in the images. Within a matter of hours, members of the community recognized Critchlow as the suspect, leading to his swift arrest and subsequent interview by officers.
During the investigation, police recovered a black jacket matching the description of the one Critchlow was seen wearing in the CCTV footage. Fingerprint analysis further linked Critchlow to the scene, confirming his involvement in the assault. The day following his arrest, Critchlow was formally charged with multiple offences related to the attack.
Northumbria Police and the investigating officers emphasized the rarity of such incidents in the region. Detective Sergeant Gibson stated, “I want to stress just how rare these types of incidents are in our region – and when reports such as these come in, we work quickly and doggedly to identify offenders as we did in this case. We won’t tolerate the type of predatory behaviour exhibited by Critchlow that night – and I’m glad to see he’s now behind bars.”
He also expressed gratitude towards the victim for her bravery and resilience throughout the ordeal, highlighting that her support was crucial in bringing Critchlow to justice. “It’s thanks to her courage and support for our investigation that Critchlow is now in prison and unable to hurt anyone else. She should be extremely proud of herself,” he added.
Members of the public who responded to the police appeal played a vital role in the case, aiding in the identification, arrest, and charging of Critchlow. The suspect appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in January, where he pleaded guilty to four charges: assault, non-fatal strangulation, sexual assault, and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.
On Wednesday, Critchlow returned to the same court to be sentenced. He received a prison term of five years and three months, with an additional five years on license following his release. Furthermore, he will be registered for life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was issued a restraining order to prevent any contact with the victim.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gibson concluded, “This was a truly shocking and awful incident for the victim who appeared to be targeted for the sole reason that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” The case underscores the importance of swift police action and community cooperation in tackling violent crimes and protecting vulnerable individuals in Ashington.
According to reports, Critchlow forcefully entered the victim’s residence after she opened her door, mistakenly believing she was welcoming someone else. Once inside, he launched a violent attack, pinning her down and punching her in the face. The assault escalated to a sexual nature, with Critchlow forcibly engaging in sexual acts with the woman. During the assault, he also wrapped his hands around her neck, attempting to strangle her. Despite the severity of the attack, the victim fought back courageously, resisting Critchlow’s assault.
After the attack, Critchlow stood up, exited the property, and shut the door behind him, leaving the victim shaken but unharmed physically. She immediately reported the incident to Northumbria Police, who responded promptly to her address and launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Law enforcement officers quickly identified a suspect through CCTV footage captured as the victim returned home. The footage was instrumental in the investigation, and the police appealed to the public for assistance in identifying the man seen in the images. Within a matter of hours, members of the community recognized Critchlow as the suspect, leading to his swift arrest and subsequent interview by officers.
During the investigation, police recovered a black jacket matching the description of the one Critchlow was seen wearing in the CCTV footage. Fingerprint analysis further linked Critchlow to the scene, confirming his involvement in the assault. The day following his arrest, Critchlow was formally charged with multiple offences related to the attack.
Northumbria Police and the investigating officers emphasized the rarity of such incidents in the region. Detective Sergeant Gibson stated, “I want to stress just how rare these types of incidents are in our region – and when reports such as these come in, we work quickly and doggedly to identify offenders as we did in this case. We won’t tolerate the type of predatory behaviour exhibited by Critchlow that night – and I’m glad to see he’s now behind bars.”
He also expressed gratitude towards the victim for her bravery and resilience throughout the ordeal, highlighting that her support was crucial in bringing Critchlow to justice. “It’s thanks to her courage and support for our investigation that Critchlow is now in prison and unable to hurt anyone else. She should be extremely proud of herself,” he added.
Members of the public who responded to the police appeal played a vital role in the case, aiding in the identification, arrest, and charging of Critchlow. The suspect appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in January, where he pleaded guilty to four charges: assault, non-fatal strangulation, sexual assault, and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.
On Wednesday, Critchlow returned to the same court to be sentenced. He received a prison term of five years and three months, with an additional five years on license following his release. Furthermore, he will be registered for life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was issued a restraining order to prevent any contact with the victim.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gibson concluded, “This was a truly shocking and awful incident for the victim who appeared to be targeted for the sole reason that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” The case underscores the importance of swift police action and community cooperation in tackling violent crimes and protecting vulnerable individuals in Ashington.