OWEN COLLINS SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR REPEATED RAPE OF YOUNG GIRL IN WALLSEND

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Wallsend, Owen Collins has been handed an 18-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving a young girl. The sentencing took place at Newcastle Crown Court, where the jury found Collins guilty of a series of heinous crimes, including the rape of a child under the age of 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and sexual assault of a minor.

According to court proceedings, the victim was subjected to these brutal attacks over a period spanning from 2008 to 2011. During this time, Collins repeatedly threatened her with violence to ensure her silence and compliance, creating an environment of fear and intimidation. The court heard that the abuse was not a one-time event but a prolonged series of violations that deeply scarred the young girl.

The case was further complicated by the fact that Collins, aged 28 at the time of sentencing, had previously been convicted of child cruelty related to the same girl. Three years prior, he was found guilty of holding her hand on a radiator until it burned and blistered, an act of cruelty motivated by a petty insult—when she told him he resembled the scruffy TV character Compo. This prior conviction underscored a pattern of abusive behavior towards the girl.

The new offences came to light in late 2012 when the girl confided in her family about additional mistreatment by Collins. Her disclosures prompted further investigation, which ultimately led to his conviction. The judge, Deborah Sherwin, emphasized the severity of the crimes during her sentencing remarks. She described the offences as “serious allegations” and highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse, which took place over three years.

Judge Sherwin noted the physical and emotional toll on the victim, stating, “Over time she began to suffer from eczema, her hair fell out and she wet the bed.” She described the case as “as bad a case of abuse as one could get,” given the young age of the victim, the extended period over which the abuse occurred, and the use of violence against her.

Prosecutor Katherine Dunn presented a victim statement that painted a devastating picture of the impact the abuse had on the girl and her family. The statement underscored the long-lasting trauma inflicted by Collins’ actions.

As part of his sentence, Collins will be subject to a lifelong sexual offences prevention order, which includes strict conditions such as a ban on unsupervised contact with anyone under 16 and a prohibition on any contact with the victim and her family. Additionally, he will be registered on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Following the sentencing, a family member of the victim expressed the profound emotional toll the ordeal has taken. They revealed that the girl has been in therapy for four years and is still struggling to rebuild her life. The family described themselves as “physically drained and worn out by the whole thing,” highlighting the lasting scars left by Collins’ actions and the ongoing challenges faced by the victim and her loved ones.