SHAUN CURBISON FROM STANLEY JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRL IN COUNTY DURHAM

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Stanley, Shaun Curbison has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a minor, despite knowing her true age. The incident, which took place in August of the previous year, highlights the ongoing issues surrounding child protection and the importance of strict legal enforcement.

According to court records, Curbison, aged 24 at the time, had a prior conviction from 2012 related to sexual activity with a child. Despite this, he entered into a relationship with a teenage girl, who initially told him she was 16 years old. However, it was later revealed that she was actually only 15. Despite this knowledge, Curbison continued the relationship, which included camping trips and sexual encounters at his residence in Stanley.

The court heard that the girl approached Curbison over the internet, and he responded to her advances. Prosecutor Rod Turton explained that the relationship persisted even after the girl disclosed her true age. The girl stayed at Curbison’s home for two nights, during which they engaged in sexual activity on three separate occasions. The police eventually uncovered the activities and arrested Curbison in August of the previous year.

During the hearing, Curbison’s defense lawyer, Joe Hedworth, argued that the girl had given her consent and that she had initiated contact with him online. He stated, “When the complainant disclosed her true age she stayed at the defendant’s two nights and the pair had sex on three occasions.” Mr. Hedworth also emphasized that Curbison was deeply remorseful, acknowledging that he should have ended the relationship immediately once he learned of her age. He described his client as having endured a difficult childhood and noted that Curbison had been terrified during his nine months in remand custody.

However, Judge Peter Bowers was clear in his assessment. He challenged the defense’s claim that the age difference was not significant, pointing out that Curbison was on a suspended sentence and subject to a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) at the time of the offences. The judge emphasized that these legal restrictions should have served as a warning, yet Curbison failed to heed them. “You did not regard that as a serious warning about your behaviour towards teenage girls,” Judge Bowers stated. “And you ought to have known better.”

Ultimately, Curbison was convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a child and three breaches of his SOPO. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. Additionally, he will be enrolled in a sex offender treatment program. The court confirmed that Curbison is already on the sex offenders register, and his SOPO will remain in effect indefinitely, underscoring the ongoing concern for community safety and the importance of monitoring offenders with a history of such crimes.