DAVID FORSTER FROM PETERLEE JAILED FOR HORRIFIC SEX OFFENSES IN TEESSIDE AND COUNTY DURHAM

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Peterlee, Wheatley Hill, and the wider Teesside area, David Forster, a 62-year-old man, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over several decades. The court heard that Forster was responsible for a disturbing pattern of rapes and indecent assaults on young girls, some of which date back as far as 1969, when he was targeting children as young as six years old.

During the proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Peter Armstrong delivered a stern and condemnatory sentence, emphasizing the gravity of Forster’s crimes. The judge stated, “The rape of a child is one of the most serious offences in the criminal catalogue. I have to sentence you for a catalogue of the most appalling offences over a considerable period of time.” He further highlighted the profound impact on the victims, noting, “The effects on these three girls have been considerable, each suffering in their own way. The description of these offences can only appal the most right-thinking person.”

Details presented during the trial revealed that Forster would often resort to violence, physically beating his young victims during the assaults. The court was informed that some of these crimes occurred over a span of nearly five years, with one assault taking place in March 1974. Prosecutor Alexia Zimbler recounted that when one girl attempted to resist Forster’s advances, he called her “frigid” and continued his assault despite her protests. She described the incident, saying, “She said to him ‘Get off me’ and tried to push his head away, but he continued to touch her.”

It was also revealed that Forster’s offending extended beyond the initial assaults, as he raped girls as young as seven. One young victim, who was present in court, expressed her anger and fear, warning him that she would kill him if he ever touched her again. Currently residing at Harper Bungalows in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, Forster pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault and two counts of rape. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was prohibited from working with children in any capacity.

Two of the victims attended the court hearing to witness the sentencing, with one visibly upset by the proceedings. The court also heard from defense counsel Chris Prince, who explained that Forster had attempted to take his own life while incarcerated, had been subjected to attacks by other inmates, and was now in solitary confinement. Mr. Prince acknowledged that Forster had no clear memory of many of the crimes but accepted responsibility for his actions. The case has left a lasting scar on the community, highlighting the devastating effects of such predatory behavior on vulnerable children and their families.