STACEY PEACOCK AND MARK HARRIS HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN COXHOE REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Coxhoe, Durham, Stacey Peacock, aged 33, was convicted of subjecting three children to a prolonged and brutal campaign of cruelty over a period of six years. The abuse, which included physical violence, emotional torment, and neglect, was uncovered after one of her victims managed to escape her care and was subsequently found by police. The injuries sustained by the children were so severe that a pediatrician remarked he had 'never seen so many marks and scars on a teenager in 31 years of child protection.'

Peacock, who resided on Linden Grove in Coxhoe, was accused of inflicting a series of heinous acts upon her young victims. These acts ranged from scalding them with hair straighteners, depriving them of food, to goading them into physically harming each other. Witnesses testified that she would kick and slap the children regularly, force them to bathe in cold water, and gouge their eyes. One particularly brutal incident involved her kicking a teenager in the face with such force that it caused teeth to protrude through their lower lip. In another instance, she forced a child to stamp on the body of a limp peer after disobedience.

The court heard that Peacock’s cruelty was not limited to physical abuse. She also engaged in psychological torment, threatening to kill a child if they reported her abuse, and branding them as a “compulsive liar” to discredit their accusations. Her deception extended to social services, which she managed to manipulate for years, concealing the extent of the abuse. The victims, some of whom were so malnourished that they resorted to stealing food and drinking ketchup, suffered profound psychological and physical damage. One child, at just 14 years old, was so underdeveloped physically that they resembled a much younger child.

During the three-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, evidence revealed that the abuse was almost daily, with some incidents occurring on a near-constant basis. The court was shown photographs and testimonies describing the severity of the injuries, including scars from burns caused by hot hair straighteners, which left lasting marks on the victims’ bodies. The emotional scars were equally deep, with many victims turning to self-harm as a consequence of their trauma.

Prosecutor Daniel Cordey recounted a chilling statement from one victim, who told police, “I dunno, nearly every day for the last six years,” when asked how often they had been assaulted. The court also heard that Peacock’s partner, Mark Harris, aged 36 and residing on Park Avenue in Coxhoe, was found guilty of one count of child cruelty. Harris was accused of taunting a child with insults such as “ugly,” “stinky,” and “greasy mop” over a period of six years. Despite his guilt, Harris was spared jail time and received an 18-month community order, along with 18 months of supervision and a requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Paul Sloan, presiding over the case, described the offences as extremely serious, emphasizing the breach of trust and the psychological harm inflicted on the children. He stated, “It’s clear to me that they suffered profound psychological damage,” and condemned the deception of social services by Peacock. The judge also highlighted the cruelty of her threats, including her telling a child she would kill them or have them killed if they disclosed her actions.

Following her conviction, Peacock was sentenced to six years in prison and was disqualified from caring for children. As of March 2015, she has been released from custody and returned to live in Coxhoe. Her partner, Mark Harris, received a lesser sentence but remains under supervision. Durham Constabulary’s child abuse investigation team expressed their gratitude to the victims for their bravery and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing justice in such cases. The community of Coxhoe continues to grapple with the revelations of this horrific abuse, which has left a lasting impact on the young victims and their families.