A 67-year-old man from Immingham has been handed a 16-year extended sentence at Grimsby Crown Court after being found guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing two young girls under the age of 13.
Matthew North, of Pilgrim Avenue, Immingham, appeared for sentence on Tuesday 20 October 2026 following an inquiry conducted by Humberside Police into predatory child sexual exploitation.
The prosecution outlined that the offending began in September 2025 when the two young victims were offering services in the local neighbourhood, including washing cars and cleaning, to earn small amounts of pocket money. North targeted the children, concealing his true identity under the alias “John”.
Over a period spanning several months, North subjected both children to persistent sexual abuse. He made repeated sexual demands, including asking the girls to perform oral sex while touching their bodies, and repeatedly attempted to place his hands inside their clothing.
The court heard that North referred to both young victims as his girlfriends and enforced their silence through intimidation and fear. He threatened that he knew where they lived and which schools they attended, warning them that he would come to their homes and “make their life hell” if they disclosed what was happening.
The situation escalated in April 2026 when North coerced one of the girls into entering his home and refused to allow her to leave. The child was eventually able to break away and run out of the property to safety.
On Wednesday 8 April 2026, the mother of one of the victims contacted the police control room to report that her daughter and her friend had been subjected to sexual abuse over the preceding four months by a man known only as “John”. Detectives quickly unmasked “John” as Matthew North and arrested him at his Pilgrim Avenue residence on Thursday 9 April 2026.
During police interviews under caution, North denied all allegations of wrongdoing, claiming that the children had made advances toward him.
North entered not guilty pleas to the indictment, requiring the young victims to give evidence during a contested trial at Grimsby Crown Court. The jury rejected North’s explanations and returned unanimous guilty verdicts on four counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and one count of inciting a female under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Passing sentence on 20 October 2026, the Crown Court judge designated North a dangerous sexual offender who posed an enduring threat to children in the community. The judge imposed a 16-year extended determinate sentence, comprising 12 years in immediate custody before being eligible for parole consideration, alongside an extended licence period of four years.
The court further imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), placed North on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and barred him permanently from any regulated work or contact involving children or vulnerable adults.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
North stood convicted of:
Four counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching
Inciting a female under 13 to engage in sexual activity
Sentencing outcome and statutory measures:
16-year extended determinate sentence (12 years’ custody and four years on extended licence)
Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Dangerous offender post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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