Harry Gray, aged 24, of Dawes Street, Gillingham, Rochester, Kent, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment at Newcastle Crown Court after sexually assaulting a secondary-school-aged child in South Tyneside.
The court heard that Gray targeted the young girl whilst she was asleep, initiating a sexual assault without her knowledge.
When the victim suddenly woke and attempted to fend him off, Gray used his physical strength to overpower the child, preventing her from escaping and continuing to sexually assault her.
The survivor described the lasting devastation left in the wake of the crime, recounting how the psychological trauma has completely altered her daily life and forced her into “taking life one day at a time”.
Under UK legislation, victims of sexual offences are protected by lifelong statutory anonymity.
Following the disclosure of the attack, Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department launched a detailed inquiry.
When arrested and interviewed under caution, Gray denied every aspect of the allegations, claiming no sexual contact had occurred.
Detectives gathered sufficient evidence to secure charges, sending the case to Newcastle Crown Court.
In August, following a contested trial, a jury dismissed Gray’s denials and returned a unanimous guilty verdict on one count of sexual assault.
Appearing for sentence yesterday, the judge condemned Gray’s actions and handed down an immediate custodial term of five years (60 months).
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered that Gray remain subject to the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period (for life).
Release Calculation: Under UK sentencing legislation governing standard determinate custodial sentences of less than seven years, early release provisions apply at the 50 per cent mark. Gray is required to serve two years and six months (30 months) in prison custody before becoming eligible for automatic statutory release on licence to serve the remainder of the sentence under the supervision of the Probation Service.
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