VERNON PLATT'S HORRIFIC CHILDHOOD ABUSE IN HUTTON RUDBY AND HARROGATE REVEALED

In a heartfelt and courageous account, Jayne Mahgagahbow, a mother of five from Thornaby, has shared her deeply personal story of childhood abuse at the hands of Vernon Platt, a man who once lived in the villages of Hutton Rudby and Harrogate. Her testimony sheds light on the long-lasting trauma inflicted by Platt, who was finally brought to justice after decades of silence.

Jayne recalls that the abuse took place during the 1970s in Hutton Rudby, a small village in North Yorkshire. She vividly remembers visiting Platt’s house to play with his son, describing him as her neighbor who resided just a few doors down from her home. She recounts being fascinated by a cuckoo clock he owned, which he would set to 12 o'clock so it would chime. However, her innocent visit turned into a nightmare when Platt, then a man in his late 80s, began to manipulate her.

She explains that Platt would touch her while she sat on his knee, despite her being only eight years old. The young girl was too frightened to confide in her parents because Platt had warned her that if she told anyone about his sickening acts, her parents would face imprisonment. This threat kept her silent for many years, and the abuse continued until Platt moved away from the area.

The shame and trauma of those experiences haunted Jayne for a long time. She admits that the memories affected her relationships and caused her emotional distress. She describes the abuse as a persistent thorn in her side, a burden she carried silently for years. It was only after she became a mother herself that her feelings of anger and frustration grew stronger, prompting her to finally seek justice.

Deciding to break her silence, Jayne contacted the police, a step that marked a turning point in her life. Her bravery paid off when Vernon Platt, who was residing on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate, was eventually charged and brought before the courts. In June 2018, Platt, then aged 89, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court. Initially, he was sentenced to a year in prison, but this sentence was later appealed.

At an appeal hearing held at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Sean Morris decided to reduce Platt’s jail term to eight months. However, the sentence was suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offense during that period. Jayne, now 52 and living in Thornaby, expressed that she did not feel resentment over the reduction in his sentence. She emphasized that her primary relief was that Platt had been publicly named and shamed, and that he had spent a week in prison, which she believed must have been difficult for someone of his age.

Jayne’s decision to speak out was driven by her desire to help others and to challenge the shame often associated with victims of sexual abuse. She openly waived her right to anonymity, a privilege typically granted to victims, in hopes of encouraging others to come forward and seek justice. Her story highlights the importance of breaking the silence surrounding childhood abuse and underscores the ongoing need for awareness and support for survivors.