MAURICE MCSHANE FROM SEAHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN TEESSIDE AND SUNDERLAND

In a disturbing case that has shocked the North East community, Maurice McShane, a well-known figure in the amateur dramatics scene from Seaham, has been convicted of multiple child sex offences. The revelations came to light after a victim, who had suffered abuse as a child, saw a report about McShane in the Sunderland Echo, prompting her to come forward and provide crucial testimony.

McShane, aged 54 and formerly residing on Ambleside Avenue in Seaham, had previously been imprisoned for over six years earlier in 2016 for abusing children. However, it was only after the publication of the newspaper report that new offences committed by him surfaced, leading to further legal action. The victim, who was a young girl at the time of the abuse, recounted her feelings of guilt for not speaking out sooner. During the court proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Deborah Sherwin acknowledged her bravery, stating that her decision to come forward had served a public good by providing authorities with a clearer understanding of the extent of McShane’s offending.

The victim revealed that she still sleeps with a teddy bear for comfort and often cries herself to sleep, illustrating the lasting trauma inflicted by McShane’s actions. Her marriage had suffered due to issues of trust, and she expressed a desire to move on from the painful chapter of her life. She publicly thanked the police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their support and encouraged other victims to come forward, emphasizing that it is never too late to seek justice.

Prosecutor Shaun Dodds detailed that the victim had confided in a friend several years after the abuse, and later told her mother at age 19. Despite her disclosures, she initially chose not to involve the police. It was only after seeing the Sunderland Echo report about McShane’s subsequent offences that she decided to report her own experiences. This sequence of events underscores the importance of media reports in prompting victims to seek justice.

During the court hearing, McShane pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault. His defense lawyer, Paul Currer, requested that the judge consider a sentence that would run concurrently with his existing prison term. Judge Sherwin agreed, sentencing McShane to 10 months in prison, to be served alongside his current sentence. She explained that while the offences warranted imprisonment, the totality principle required her to consider the length of his ongoing incarceration.

It was also noted that McShane is subject to sex offender registration requirements and a lifelong order prohibiting any unsupervised contact with children. The court’s decision reflects the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing measures to protect the public from potential harm.

In a separate but related case from March 2016, McShane was also convicted of abusing two young girls. The court heard how he manipulated and persuaded his first victim into engaging in sexual acts, with her describing him as ‘sick’ in a personal statement read aloud in court. She expressed her feelings of vulnerability, regret, and anger, stating that she felt manipulated and foolish for trusting him. Her statement also criticized the justice system for the invasive procedures she endured, which she felt further victimized her.

Additionally, the court heard that McShane groped his second victim twice in his car near the Seaham Hall Hotel. She described her feelings of worry and stress but expressed relief that she would no longer have to see him. McShane admitted to four charges, including sexual indecency with a child, sexual activity with a child, and sexual assault of a child. Despite his previous good character and active involvement in local amateur dramatics, the court found his actions deeply troubling.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton of Middlesbrough sentenced McShane to six years and one month in prison. The judge acknowledged that McShane showed remorse only after pleading guilty at trial, and emphasized the significant age disparity and vulnerability of his victims. The court also imposed strict orders restricting his internet use, banning him from unsupervised contact with children, and prohibiting any contact with his victims, aiming to prevent further harm and ensure public safety.