Brave young girl sees sexual abuser jailed for four years

“I am a survivor. As hard as it’s been, I am proud I spoke up and told someone.”

These are the powerful words of a young girl who this week saw her abuser jailed for four years.

Newrick Grange, who is more commonly known as Rob, tried to force the girl to carry out sex acts on herself over several years when he lived in Darlington.

The quick-thinking girl managed to secretly record one of the instances on her phone, which provided evidence of the abuse to the police and courts.   

Grange was arrested after the girl bravely told an adult what had happened, and an investigation was launched.

The 41-year-old was charged with three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing or inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Grange, of South Bank, Middlesbrough, denied the offences and went on trial at Teesside Crown Court in April.

A jury found him guilty of causing or inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity. He was acquitted of sexual assault.

He returned to court on Monday (June 9) for sentencing, where he was jailed for four years and handed a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the girl.

He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) preventing him from having any contact with children under 16 and placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. 

In a victim impact statement, the girl said: “The trauma inflicted on me is not just a moment in time, but a lifetime burden that will always affect me and all my relationships. However, I will try to heal as best as I can for the younger me.

“I tell people I’m okay, but I’m not. My childhood has been taken away from me due to the actions of Rob. All my good memories are now shadowed with the bad. I feel like I’ve had to mentally mature faster due to what I was subjected to by him.

“I want Rob to know exactly what he has done to me and the trauma he has caused me. He knows exactly what he has done, and it will haunt me for the rest of my life.

“I will use my experience to better other people. I want to spread awareness and help anyone who has or is going through what I have endured.”

Detective Constable Melissa Lamb, from Darlington Safeguarding Team, led the investigation.

She said: “I’d like to commend the young girl for the immense bravery she has shown throughout this investigation and subsequent court process.

“By standing up to her abuser and having her voice heard, she has helped to get a dangerous man off the streets and potentially protected further children from harm.

“Grange poses a real danger to women and young girls. I am pleased he is now behind bars and will be subjected to strict court orders preventing him from having contact with children in the future.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse call Durham Constabulary on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

If you’re more comfortable reporting online, you can visit our online reporting page here www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

If you’re not ready to speak to police, there are other agencies who can help:

• The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Call 0330 223 0099 or visit sarcdurham.co.uk
• The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is available 24/7 and provides support for anyone who has been affected by rape or sexual assault. Call 0808 500 2222 or visit 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk
• The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) offers free, specialist support to anyone who has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. Call 01325 354119, email [email protected]or visit rsacc-thecentre.org.uk  
• NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000, email [email protected], or visit nspcc.org.uk
• Childline – call 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk