Man jailed for 16 years after kidnapping girl

A girl who was kidnapped by a sexual predator has been praised for her bravery in helping put him behind bars.

Matthew Hindhaugh was today jailed for 16 years after admitting to targeting the girl as she was walked in Newton Aycliffe in February.

The 22-year-old claimed he was trying to help the victim who he said had fallen over and hurt her face – but overwhelming CCTV evidence, exhibits and witness statements proved otherwise.

The victim recalled how Hindhaugh approached her in Rowan Place and punched her in the face before putting his hands over her mouth and telling her to ‘shh’.

He then forced her into his house and onto his bed where he held her down and started to unzip his trousers.

The quick-thinking teenager told Hindhaugh that she wouldn’t tell anyone what had happened if he let her go.

This gave the girl a few seconds which she seized and ran out of the property leaving one shoe behind as she fled to a nearby address where she raised the alarm.

Officers promptly arrested Hindhaugh and despite protesting his innocence, the victim’s shoe was located on the stairs as well as other evidence linking him to the incident.

They also discovered a ‘rape list’ made up of various social media influencers and a sword from his bedroom. He was taken into custody where he was found to be wearing a chastity belt. He told officers he was wearing it to stop his sexual urges.

Hindhaugh of Newton Aycliffe pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing to kidnap, kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence, intentional strangulation, and possession of an offensive weapon.

He also pleaded guilty to another three charges of making hundreds of indecent images of children from 2015 to 2024.

Hindhaugh was remanded into custody and at Durham Crown Court today, he was jailed for 16 years.

Detective Superintendent Peter Carr, of Durham Constabulary, praised the victim, who told officers she thought she was going to die.

He said: “The bravery and courage this girl showed that night is nothing short of extraordinary.

“Not only did her resilience and quick-thinking actions manage to get herself to safety, but she managed to prevent Hindhaugh from causing harm to anyone else.

“Hindhaugh is an extremely dangerous predator, whose actions were abhorrent that night. He had absolutely no regard for her and the effect of what he was doing might have on her.

“I hope this sentence gives the girl, her family, and friends, and the community some comfort now he is in prison.

“I would also like to thank the investigation team who worked tirelessly and diligently to get justice for the girl.”

Hindhaugh was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life, issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

If you or someone you know is suffering sexual or physical abuse, please contact us on 101, or dial 999 if you are in immediate danger.

If you don’t want to speak to the police, there are other helplines available:

• 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 www.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 www.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 www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk  
• NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000, email [email protected], or visit www.nspcc.org.uk
• Childline – call 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk