THOMAS DULSON OF MIDDLESBROUGH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD VICTIM AFTER 40 YEARS
In a case that has spanned over four decades, Thomas Dulson, an 80-year-old man from Middlesbrough, was finally brought to justice for the sexual abuse inflicted upon a young girl four years old at the time.The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, endured a long and painful journey towards justice, which culminated in his sentencing at Teesside Crown Court in November 2016.
According to the prosecution, the abuse occurred when the victim visited Dulson’s residence.
During this visit, she was seated on his knee, a seemingly innocent gesture that took a sinister turn as Dulson proceeded to touch her indecently beneath her clothing.
The trauma of this incident haunted her for years, but it was only six years prior to the court proceedings that she confided in a relative about what had happened, doing so while intoxicated.
It was a significant step in her path toward healing, and last year she summoned the courage to report the abuse to the police.
The victim expressed her motivation for coming forward as a desire to prevent Dulson from harming others, particularly his grandchildren, who she feared might also become victims.
Her emotional victim impact statement, read aloud by prosecutor Robin Turton, was punctuated by her sobs from the public gallery.
In her statement, she detailed the profound and ongoing effects of the abuse on her life.
She revealed that she had become an alcoholic and a daily cannabis user as coping mechanisms.
Her struggles with relationships were evident, as she admitted that she had never been able to sustain a meaningful relationship until she met her current partner.
She also shared her history of self-harm, including punching walls and fracturing her hand, as well as attempting to take her own life by jumping out of a window, which resulted in fractured feet.
Her words conveyed a deep sense of anguish and frustration, especially as more family members learned about her ordeal.
Her primary wish was for Dulson to be prevented from harming anyone else in the future.
Judge Tony Briggs acknowledged the severity of the abuse and the suffering it caused the victim.
Addressing Dulson directly, the judge stated, “It’s perfectly plain that she has suffered significantly as a result of what happened.
It has gone on continuously and it is only six years ago that she has been able to report these matters.” While considering Dulson’s age and health issues, as outlined in a medical report, the judge also noted that Dulson had pleaded guilty to the charges, which was a factor in his sentencing.
“I do hope that it has finally become of some comfort to the victim that at last you are admitting to what happened,” Judge Briggs added.
Thomas Dulson, residing on Netherfields Crescent in Middlesbrough, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, following his guilty plea to two counts of indecent assault under the 1956 Sex Act, which carries a maximum penalty of ten years.
The court’s decision marked a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for a victim who endured decades of silence and pain.
