JAMIE CULLEN OF BISHOP AUCKLAND JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING 13-YEAR-OLD IN COUNTY DURHAM

In January 2013, Jamie Cullen, now 21 and residing in Bishop Auckland, was sentenced to two years in prison for having sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl during a party in County Durham.

The incident occurred at a gathering in County Durham, where Cullen, of Bank Top Terrace, Trimdon Village, admitted to sexual contact with a minor at an earlier hearing.

At the sentencing hearing held at Durham Crown Court on Friday, January 18, a dispute arose regarding Cullen’s claim that he was unsure of the girl’s age at the time. Prosecutor Julie Clemitson stated, "The Crown could not accept his assertion of being uncertain over the girl’s age at the time, as it was considered that he had been told by her own sister."

She explained further that she had previously informed Cullen that her sister was underage. Cullen argued that he was uncertain of the girl’s exact age, though it was acknowledged she was under 16.

Judge Christopher Prince sentenced Cullen, noting that the appropriate sentence under guidelines would have been three years if he had not pleaded guilty. He stated, “I have also considered carefully if this is an appropriate case for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, or a restraining order, but in both cases I think it is not.”

The judge also made it clear that Cullen would be registered as a sex offender for the next ten years, informing him that his name will be entered on the Sex Offenders’ Register.