DAVID WRIGHT FROM HOUGHTON SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN NEWCASTLE AND LONDON

In October 2014, a disturbing case involving David Wright, a judo coach from Houghton, has taken a significant turn after a court ruling. Wright, who was initially given a relatively lenient sentence, has now been sentenced to two years in prison following an appeal by the Crown Court.

Earlier in July, Wright appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court had then handed him a 15-month suspended sentence, along with a sexual offences prevention order. He was also ordered to remain under supervision for two years and to complete a rehabilitation program.

However, the Court of Appeal in London, comprising Lord Justice Pitchford, Mr Justice Dingemans, and Judge Peter Rook QC, found that the original sentence was 'manifestly too lenient.' They decided to replace the suspended sentence with a two-year prison term, emphasizing the severity of Wright’s actions and the impact on the victim.

Lord Justice Pitchford highlighted that the original sentencing failed to adequately consider the long-term psychological effects on the young girl involved. He stated, “This was not a finely-balanced sentencing exercise. This was a young girl at a delicate stage of her development. These offences will have long-term consequences on her psychology and, no doubt, on her relationships in future.”

Details of the case reveal that Wright, aged 52 and residing in Houghton, had molested his teenage victim. Following this, he engaged in a disturbing campaign of text messaging aimed at grooming her, attempting to manipulate her with offers of money and presents. The girl’s mother discovered the inappropriate messages on her mobile phone, which led to police involvement.

It was revealed during court proceedings that Wright’s behaviour left the girl withdrawn and isolated. When questioned by probation officers, Wright claimed he had no sexual interest in the victim and attributed his actions to alcohol misuse.

Legal representatives for the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC, argued that the original suspended sentence was unduly lenient and urged the court to impose a harsher penalty. The Court of Appeal agreed, with Lord Justice Pitchford stating, “This was repeated sexual assault upon a girl a fraction of his age. He offered no real explanation for his contact, aside from his misuse of alcohol.”

The court also noted that Wright had initially been warned off by the victim but later attempted to bribe her with money and gifts to continue his inappropriate conduct. The seriousness of these offences led the judges to conclude that a suspended sentence was insufficient, and a custodial sentence was justified.

Wright was ordered to report to Gilbridge Police Station in Sunderland by 4 pm to begin serving his two-year prison term. Following the ruling, Mr. Buckland expressed satisfaction, stating, “I referred this case to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient because the original sentence failed to reflect the seriousness of the offences in the light of the victim’s age at the time the offences were committed. I also think insufficient weight was given in this case to the fact that there were repeated sexual assaults over a period of time. I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has today quashed the suspended sentence and instead introduced a jail term of two years.”