WALLSEND PAEDOPHILE GLEN DICKINSON AND ANDREW HUTTON SENTENCED FOR ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN NORTHUMBERLAND

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Wallsend and the surrounding areas in Northumberland, a known offender, Glen Dickinson, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of heinous sexual offenses against a young girl. The case also involves Andrew Hutton, another individual from Wallsend, who was implicated in the abuse of the same victim. The details of these crimes reveal a pattern of predatory behavior that has left lasting scars on the victims and the community alike.

Glen Dickinson, aged 37 and residing on Kearsley Close in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, was found guilty by a jury of two serious sexual assaults committed against a seven-year-old girl. The offenses came to light after the victim, who bravely came forward to report her ordeal, detailed the abuse she endured. The court heard that Dickinson had previously served time for abusing another young girl under the age of ten, making his latest conviction particularly troubling. The new offenses occurred before his earlier conviction but only recently surfaced during the investigation.

At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Tim Gittins delivered a stern judgment, describing Dickinson as having an “abhorrent paedophilic interest” in young girls. The judge emphasized the profound impact of the abuse on the victim, stating, “She had a dreadful secret and has been deeply affected by your actions towards her and continues to be so.” The court was presented with a victim impact statement, in which the girl expressed her ongoing suffering. She described feelings of anxiety and depression, revealing that she had to relocate because she felt that others knew about her trauma. Her words painted a heartbreaking picture of her mental health struggles, including flashbacks, nightmares, and difficulty sleeping. She stated, “Even though he was put in jail, it doesn’t take away what he did to me. I’m left with this my whole life, and it doesn’t go away. It doesn’t give me peace that he’s in jail, no sentence ever would. The abuse has had a catastrophic effect. I’m also serving a sentence, except mine is for life.”

Judge Gittins further condemned Dickinson’s actions, highlighting the danger he poses to young girls. He declared Dickinson a dangerous offender, citing the substantial risk he presents of causing serious harm to others. As a result, Dickinson was sentenced to 11 years in prison, with an extended license period of an additional year. He remains subject to sex offender registration and a sexual offences prevention order that was imposed in 2014, which continues to be in force.

In a related case from August 2014, two individuals from Wallsend, Glen Dickinson and Andrew Hutton, were involved in a disturbing campaign of abuse against a girl who was as young as six years old. The girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, recounted how both men molested her over several years, with some incidents occurring jointly. Dickinson, aged 31 at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including indecency with a child and four counts of indecent assault. He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, and he is required to sign the sex offender register and adhere to a sexual offences prevention order designed to restrict his future conduct.

Andrew Hutton, also aged 31 and from Howdon Lane in Wallsend, pleaded guilty to attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault. He received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and is also mandated to sign the sex offender register. The court heard that Hutton’s involvement was less extensive than Dickinson’s, and that he and Dickinson had attended a special school together, which may have influenced their behaviors. Legal representatives for both men highlighted their troubled backgrounds; Peter Schofield, representing Dickinson, noted his “deplorable upbringing” and past sexual abuse as a child, while Tom Moran, defending Hutton, mentioned his lesser involvement and his own history of abuse.

The victim’s statement detailed the profound and lasting damage inflicted by the abuse. She described feeling scared, dirty, and physically ill during the assaults, and expressed how she believed she was at fault. Her mental health deteriorated over the years, leading to panic attacks, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. She recounted how the abuse began when she was just six years old and how Dickinson and Hutton’s actions have haunted her into adulthood, causing nightmares, flashbacks, and ongoing emotional pain. Her testimony underscored the devastating impact of their crimes, which have marred her life and continue to do so.

Both Dickinson and Hutton are now subject to the legal consequences of their actions, with Dickinson serving a significant prison sentence and Hutton receiving a suspended sentence. Their cases serve as stark reminders of the importance of safeguarding children and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice in Northumberland and beyond.