GEORGE SMITH FROM DARLINGTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN

In a case that has shocked the community of Darlington, a 74-year-old man named George Smith has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of 17 years. The court heard that Smith, a pensioner residing on St Andrew’s Street in Darlington, engaged in a disturbing pattern of grooming and abusing young children, some of whom he bribed to maintain his secret and silence.

During the proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, it was revealed that Smith’s abuse extended beyond mere physical acts. He also showed one young girl pornographic films and recorded her, actions that added a deeply disturbing layer to his crimes. The court was informed that one of his victims was so traumatized during police interviews that she became physically sick as she relived her ordeal. This victim expressed feelings of guilt, telling officers that she wished she had come forward sooner, believing that her silence had allowed other children to suffer at Smith’s hands.

The investigation into Smith’s crimes was initiated last year after one victim confided in her mother about the abuse. Initially, some of the other children denied any wrongdoing, but subsequent police interviews led them to disclose the truth. Smith initially denied the allegations, claiming that his first accuser was lying. However, during police interviews, he made some admissions, attempting to justify his actions with a vague remark: “It is one of them things, but there again we can’t account for everything we do – not human nature.”

Smith’s guilty plea was seen as a positive step by the court, with his legal representative noting that his decision to admit guilt spared his victims the trauma of giving evidence in court. The charges he admitted included indecency with a child, indecent assault, assault by penetration, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. In addition to his prison sentence, Smith was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was banned from having any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 18.

During mitigation, Dan Cordey, representing Smith, argued that the risk posed by Smith after his release would be minimized through strict supervision. He also highlighted that Smith’s wife, who is 72 and in poor health, relies heavily on him for daily care. Mr. Cordey expressed uncertainty about whether the couple would be able to live together again after Smith’s incarceration, given their age and health issues.

Judge Armstrong emphasized the importance of Smith’s guilty plea, stating, “The main thing was you pleaded guilty and it meant the youngsters did not have to give evidence.” The court’s decision reflects the gravity of Smith’s crimes and the impact on his victims, as well as the community’s need for justice and protection.