KENNETH BATE SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN HARTLEPOOL

In a case that has shocked the Hartlepool community, Kenneth Bate, aged 68, has been sentenced to a six-year prison term after being found guilty of multiple serious offences involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The conviction followed a detailed trial at Teesside Crown Court that took place earlier this month, during which Bate was charged with grooming a schoolgirl and subsequently subjecting her to a series of sexual assaults.

Judge George Moorhouse presided over the case and emphasized the gravity of the crimes committed. Addressing Bate directly in court, the judge stated, “The public have to be protected – especially young girls – therefore, a custodial sentence is inevitable.” The court heard that Bate, who resides on Arnold Grove in Hartlepool, had engaged in manipulative behavior to gain the trust of the young victim before carrying out the assaults.

As part of his sentence, Bate was also disqualified from working with children, a measure designed to prevent any future risk to minors. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a requirement that underscores the severity of his crimes. The court further imposed a sexual offences prevention order, which explicitly prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 16.

During the proceedings, Christine Egerton, representing Bate, highlighted that the defendant had led a seemingly blameless life prior to these allegations. She pointed out that Bate, who is set to turn 69 next month, would be serving his first custodial sentence, and that the impact of imprisonment would be particularly harsh on him. “He will be 69 next month and this will be his first custodial sentence,” she explained. “It is going to have a dramatic effect on him. The effect of this sentence upon him will be much greater than it would be on a younger man. He continues to maintain his innocence.”

The court's verdict was based on the evidence presented during a five-day trial held in early January, during which Bate was convicted on five counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. Judge Moorhouse made it clear that the grooming of the young girl was a key factor in the case, describing the offences as “very serious” and fully justifying the custodial sentence. The judge’s remarks underscored the importance of protecting vulnerable minors from predators like Bate, whose actions have left a lasting impact on the victim and the community of Hartlepool.