DEAN SAWLEY SPENNYMOOR SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF VULNERABLE GIRL IN DURHAM

In a case that has shocked the community of Spennymoor and the wider Durham area, Dean Sawley, a 30-year-old man with a complex and troubling history, was sentenced to nine years in prison for the heinous crime of raping a vulnerable young girl during a party held in Durham.

According to court proceedings, Sawley, who is described as balding and had been living a life of multiple sexual identities, had been experiencing significant personal turmoil. Just five months prior to the assault, he had ended a relationship after revealing his desire to undergo a sex change and had begun wearing women’s clothing. His behavior extended to adopting various alter egos, including names such as Vince and Dee-Anne, which he used to engage in sexual activities with different individuals.

The incident in question occurred on April 6 of that year, during a social gathering attended by Sawley and his victim. Witnesses and evidence presented in court indicated that Sawley had been drinking heavily throughout the event. Prosecutor Sarah Mallett detailed that Sawley had made inappropriate remarks and had exposed himself to two women, aged 15 and 23, during the course of the evening.

The victim, a young girl with learning difficulties, was found sleeping on a sofa when Sawley began to touch her. Initially, his advances were over her clothes, but he then proceeded to touch her underneath her clothing. The court heard that he instructed her to go to the kitchen, where he stripped and demanded she do the same. When she refused to engage in sexual activity, Sawley committed multiple sex acts against her. At one point, the girl reportedly said, “I’m a child, you’re an adult,” highlighting her vulnerability and the gravity of the situation.

Following the assault, Sawley warned the girl to keep what had happened a secret. The pair then went to sleep. The next morning, the girl confided in a friend, which led to police involvement. Sawley was promptly arrested, and during police interviews, he claimed to have been too intoxicated to remember the events clearly.

Dean Sawley, who resides at Kentmere, Spennymoor, County Durham, pleaded guilty to charges of rape, assault by penetration, and sexual assault. His defense lawyer, Scott Smith, emphasized that Sawley’s behavior was markedly different when he was in his various alter egos, and he was unaware of the victim’s learning difficulties, which added to the complexity of the case.

Judge Prince, presiding over the case, sentenced Sawley to nine years in prison. In his remarks, the judge condemned Sawley’s excessive alcohol consumption and his objectionable, sexualized conduct. He acknowledged the profound impact of Sawley’s actions on the victim, describing her as a young woman of charm and talent who suffered significant emotional harm.

As part of his sentence, Sawley will be registered on the sex offenders’ register for life and is subject to a lifelong restraining order designed to protect the victim from any further contact or harassment. The case underscores the ongoing concerns about sexual violence and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals within the community of Durham.