REDCAR MAN DAVID MEWSE SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR RAPE OF CHILD AT STEELWORKS SITE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Redcar, a man named David Mewse has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after committing a heinous crime against a young girl. The incident took place in July 2020, and the details revealed during the court proceedings paint a grim picture of abuse and exploitation.

David Mewse, aged 49 and a former employee of the Redcar steelworks, was found guilty of raping a child while she was in a state of unconsciousness. The court heard that Mewse had deliberately given the young girl two glasses of red wine, which he used to intoxicate her before assaulting her. The victim, whose identity remains protected, was just a child at the time of the attack.

According to the prosecution, led by John Cleasby, the young girl was left in shock after waking up to find Mewse raping her. She froze in place, overwhelmed by the trauma of the situation, and did not resist or speak during the assault. Mr. Cleasby described her reaction as one of complete shock, emphasizing the severity of her emotional state at that moment.

Further details revealed that Mewse also took indecent images of the girl during the incident, adding a disturbing layer to his crimes. The offences came to light when the girl confided in her friend's mother about what had happened, prompting an investigation that ultimately led to Mewse's arrest and prosecution.

During the court hearing, the victim provided a heartfelt statement, which was read aloud. She expressed her ongoing suffering, stating, “I’m a different person now, I get angry very quickly, I look at my friends and I know I’m different to them. Whatever punishment he gets will never be enough because I will be suffering for the rest of my life and nothing can change that.” Her words underscored the lasting impact of the abuse on her mental health and well-being.

In court, Mewse admitted to the charges of rape and taking indecent photographs of a child. The judge, Deborah Sherwin, responded with a firm sentence, sentencing him to 12 years in prison for the rape. Additionally, she ordered him to serve 12 months concurrently for the possession of indecent images. As part of the court's measures to prevent future harm, Mewse was also handed a sexual harm prevention order, which will remain in effect until further notice.

Judge Sherwin expressed her recognition of the trauma inflicted upon the victim, stating, “It’s clear to me she has been extremely traumatised as a result of what you did to her.” The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Redcar, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding vulnerable individuals from such predatory behavior.