GEORGE AMIS ESCAPES PRISON IN NORTH SHIELDS CASE INVOLVING HISTORIC CHILD ABUSE

In a case that has resonated deeply within the North Shields community, George William Amis, a resident of the Quadrant on the Balkwell estate, was handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting to serious charges of indecent assault spanning over three decades. The incidents involved a young girl, who was his niece, and occurred in North Shields, with the case highlighting the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the complexities of justice delayed.

Amis, who was 59 years old at the time of sentencing in 1992, pleaded guilty to two separate charges of indecency. The first incident took place in 1960 when the victim was only eight years old. During her stay at her aunt and uncle’s home in North Shields, she entered her relatives’ bedroom. While her aunt was momentarily absent, her uncle, George Amis, allegedly asked her to touch his private parts, and then proceeded to do so himself. The prosecution stated that this abuse was not an isolated event but occurred on several occasions, causing ongoing trauma to the young girl.

The second incident was reported to have happened approximately 25 years later. The court was told that the same woman, now an adult, was at her uncle’s house when milk was spilled on her dress. While she was removing her clothing to dry it, Amis is accused of touching her exposed breasts and subsequently placing his hands down her knickers. On another occasion, he was said to have touched her breasts while she was speaking on the telephone. These allegations, which spanned over a quarter of a century, only came to light after the victim decided to speak out.

During the hearing, defense counsel argued that the more serious of the offences occurred many years ago, emphasizing the importance of considering the age of the accused and the long passage of time since the incidents. They pointed out that the first victim had continued to have a relationship with her uncle and that the second offence was reported only after a significant delay, which they suggested was relevant to the case. The defense also noted that, for a long period, there appeared to be no adverse effects on the victims, and that the offences took place in the distant past.

Judge presiding over the case acknowledged the complexity of sentencing in such cases, especially given the lengthy delay in reporting. He stated, “The question I have to decide is whether with offending of this sort, justice requires you go prison straight away. It has not been an easy decision because, of course, this type of offence can occur frequently and it is not discovered until a long time afterwards.” The judge considered the gravity of the offences, the time elapsed, and the impact on the victims before passing sentence.

Ultimately, George Amis was sentenced to 12 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £100 and was subject to a suspended supervision order. The case was notable within the North East legal community, with detectives believing it may have set a precedent due to the length of time it took for the case to reach court.

Following the verdict, the victim, who had shown remarkable bravery in coming forward, expressed her feelings about the outcome. “If people do not know this horrendous story, children will go on being abused and will not be able to find the courage to bring the guilty to justice,” she said. She also voiced her disappointment that Amis received only a suspended sentence, describing it as “not wonderful,” but acknowledged that the judge recognized the man as a potential risk to children.

Her mother, who was present during the court proceedings, shared her feelings about the case’s significance. “Getting the case to court after all these years was a major step for justice,” she said. She expressed her concern that her daughter was devastated by the fact that Amis did not receive a prison sentence. The mother also revealed her distress upon hearing that Amis’s solicitor, a woman, congratulated him on the outcome, which she found deeply upsetting.

This case remains a stark reminder of the importance of addressing historic abuse and ensuring that victims have the courage to come forward, regardless of how much time has passed. It also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in dealing with offences committed many years ago, especially when evidence and memories may be difficult to verify.