Latest news with #JudgeAmandaRippon
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Cramlington alcoholic arsonist attacked elderly mum's home
An alcoholic arsonist who deliberately set his elderly and disabled mother's home on fire has been jailed for eight Southern, 61, started two fires at the back door of his 85-year-old mum's home after they fell out over his drinking and persistent pleas for money, Newcastle Crown Court was woken by a vibrating fire alarm beneath her pillow, while neighbours also saw the blaze and came to her was found guilty of committing arson with intent to endanger life. Judge Amanda Rippon said she could not imagine the fear his mother had felt. Southern, of Arcot Avenue in Nelson Village, Cramlington, and his mother previously had a good relationship, but that deteriorated over the 18 months leading up to the blaze because of his alcohol abuse and demands for cash, prosecutor Ian Cook 22 October last year, she complained to police about her son and he was arrested on suspicion of harassment before being released on condition not to go to her he turned up again the following day and police had to be called again, the court heard. Hard of hearing Then, at about 03:00 BST on 24 October, Southern took a ladder so he could scale a locked garden gate and set fire to a mop head and garden gloves beside the back door to his mother's home, Mr Cook smashed a window in the door so the blaze would get inside, the court mother, who was hard of hearing and had put her hearing aids on charge overnight, was asleep in having a stairlift because of her mobility issues, she got downstairs to find the back door ablaze and neighbours at the scene trying to put it out, the court heard. In a statement read to the court, Southern's mother said she felt "at ease" knowing he was in prison "getting help and support" for his issues."Whenever I hear noises, I worry in case it is Paul," she said, adding: "I never thought Paul would do anything like this."Judge Rippon said it was "hard to imagine" what it must have been like for the woman "to find her son set fire to her home intending for her life to be endangered".The judge said Southern was an alcoholic but he refused to accept been deemed dangerous, he must serve an extra two years on extended licence.A restraining order banning him from contacting his mother or going to her home for 10 years was also made. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
19 hours ago
- BBC News
South Shields man groped children almost 30 years apart
A man who molested two children almost three decades apart has been jailed for four years and 10 Henderson, 51, from South Shields groped a child in the 1990s and another several years ago, Newcastle Crown Court first victim said they grieved for the child that had been lost, while the mother of the second said her child felt "shame and guilt".Henderson had initially denied wrongdoing but, on the day his trial was due to start, admitted indecent assault and sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. Judge Amanda Rippon said Henderson, of West Avenue in Harton, groomed the first a statement read to the court, the victim said they had "misplaced feelings of shame" and it had been "very difficult to come to terms" with being a victim of abuse."It feels like grief for the child who didn't know how to react."They said the abuse had affected their ability to maintain relationships and they still had regular nightmares many years later. 'Unforgivable' abuse The mother of the second child praised their courage and bravery for reporting what Henderson said there had been a "loss" of innocence, trust and confidence in her child who felt "shame and guilt", adding the abuse was "unforgivable".Judge Rippon said it was clear Henderson's actions had had "lifelong impacts" on the first victim and the second had also been majorly said told Henderson there was no sentence she could impose which would "give back what you have taken" or "fix what you have done".Henderson must sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life and a sexual harm prevention order prohibiting him from being alone with children was also made to last indefinitely. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
