PATRICK WILMOTT JAILED IN MIDDLESBROUGH FOR SEX OFFENSES AGAINST GIRLS OVER 30 YEARS AGO

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Patrick Wilmott, a resident of Middlesbrough, was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual assaults committed against three young girls more than 30 years ago. The details of his crimes only surfaced recently, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

According to proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, the revelation of Wilmott's past offenses was triggered unexpectedly when his victims, who had not seen each other in many years, met at a funeral in Middlesbrough and began sharing their stories. It was during this conversation that the victims disclosed their experiences, which ultimately led to the investigation and the uncovering of Wilmott’s long-hidden criminal history.

Patrick Wilmott, now 54 years old, initially maintained his innocence throughout the legal process. However, as evidence was presented and testimonies were heard, he eventually admitted to committing five separate offenses of indecent assault. The court found his admissions credible and appropriate for conviction.

In addition to his prison sentence, Wilmott was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders' register for life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his contact with vulnerable individuals. The court also imposed restrictions on his activities, including a ban from entering the children’s retail store Mothercare and the Wacky Warehouse pub chain, both of which are popular family venues. Furthermore, Wilmott was prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with children, a restriction aimed at preventing any potential future harm.

This case highlights the importance of vigilance and the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse, as well as the crucial role that chance encounters and conversations can play in uncovering hidden crimes. The community in Middlesbrough is now reminded of the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring that offenders are held accountable, regardless of how much time has passed since their crimes.