WAYNE THOMPSON FROM GUISBOROUGH BRANDED DANGEROUS OFFENDER AFTER CHILD ABUSE CASE AT TEESSIDE CROWN COURT

In March 2019, a man named Wayne Thompson from Guisborough was identified as a dangerous offender following a series of heinous crimes involving a young boy. Thompson, 39, who resides on Somerset Road, was convicted of abusing a very young boy in a disturbing campaign of sexual misconduct. The crimes came to light in December when a jury found him guilty of sexual assault on the boy.

Thompson had previously admitted to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that was imposed years earlier after he was found in possession of child abuse images. The court heard that Thompson's offenses included three counts of sexual assault and two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. He was acquitted of a rape charge.

The sentencing judge, Judge Stephen Ashurst, described Thompson as a dangerous offender, stating he "posed a significant risk of serious harm." During the hearing, the judge expressed concern over Thompson's ongoing denial of his offenses and sexual attraction to young boys, despite having been subjected to restrictive measures.

"I have read all the reports about you," said Judge Ashurst. "The worrying aspect is your continued denial of the offences, your continued denial of your sexual attraction to young boys, and despite being served with an order, you’ve continued to have contact with children. Your compliance has been superficial, and the measures taken have not been adequate to stop you offending."

The victim’s mother addressed the court, revealing how her son’s behavior had changed dramatically post-abuse. "He wasn’t the little boy I gave birth to anymore," she said. She detailed how her son suffered nightmares and anxiety, which worsened as the court case approached, and noted that he required medication.

Although Thompson was convicted of abusing the boy, the court also found him guilty of possessing indecent images of children, leading to the issuance of the original SOPO, which banned him from contact with children without police notification.

Prosecutor Jo Kidd highlighted further breaches by Thompson, revealing that he later entered into a relationship with a 16-year-old boy he met on Grindr. Thompson visited the teen's home, where other children were present, and even joined him on family trips to places including Beamish, Lightwater Valley, and various soft play centers—activities that violated his SOPO. Thompson admitted to these breaches at Teesside Magistrates’ Court last July.

Judge Ashurst sentenced Thompson to six years in prison, with an additional four-year extended license period. Furthermore, he made the SOPO indefinite, signifying continued restrictions on Thompson’s contact with minors.