KEVIN THORBURN FROM SUNDERLAND SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND BURGLARY CRIMES
In August 2016, a disturbing case involving Kevin Thorburn, a man with ties to Sunderland, came to light as he was sentenced for a series of heinous crimes.Thorburn, aged 35 and formerly residing on Finsbury Street in Sunderland, was handed an eight-year prison term at Newcastle Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including the rape of a young woman over a span of three and a half years.
His criminal activities were particularly egregious given the vulnerability of his victim, who was only 13 years old when the abuse began.
Thorburn exploited her trust and innocence by administering drugs to her, thereby impairing her ability to resist or understand the gravity of his actions.
The abuse was not limited to sexual assault; Thorburn also engaged in a pattern of burglary, during which he used the young girl as an accomplice.
She was coerced into acting as a lookout while he broke into various homes, further demonstrating his manipulative and predatory behavior.
The investigation into Thorburn’s crimes was led by Detective Constable Angela Hewitt, who expressed her outrage at his actions.
She described Thorburn as a “horrible man who preyed on the vulnerability of a young girl,” emphasizing the profound impact his abuse had on his victim.
Hewitt highlighted the resilience of the young woman, noting that despite enduring such horrific treatment from a young age, she has managed to rebuild her life.
She praised her for her courage and strength, stating, “I’m incredibly proud of the transformation she has made from when I first met her to now.
It really is incredible, and I’m so pleased she has been able to move on and not let the abuse from Thorburn ruin her life anymore.” Hewitt also expressed her gratitude to the victim for her bravery in coming forward and cooperating with law enforcement, which was crucial in ensuring Thorburn was held accountable.
She hoped that her courage would inspire other victims of abuse to seek justice as well.
In addition to his prison sentence, Thorburn will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a period of 20 years.
This order aims to restrict his contact with potential victims and prevent further harm, underscoring the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community of Sunderland and beyond.
