Hartlepool woman jailed for 13 years for catalogue of depraved child sex offences

Sandra O’Rourke, 47, was jailed for 13 years at Teesside Court on Friday, July 31, after previously admitting 13 offences of shocking abuse which robbed her victim of their childhood.

She pleaded guilty last month to two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, seven counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three sexual assaults on a child, and one of assault by penetration.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said the victim felt unable to report the abuse until much later with the help of someone close to them.

In a victim personal statement read in court the victim said: “I still get flashbacks of what happened to me, it will stay with me forever what she has done to me.”

The court heard O’Rourke was heavily under the influence of cannabis during much of the abuse which the judge said was an aggravating feature.

When questioned by police, she did not answer any questions but later admitted all the offences.

In a statement read by her barrister Stephen Constantine, O’Rourke said: “I can’t express how sorry I am for what happened”, adding she was angry and disgusted at herself.

O’Rourke, of Harbour Walk, Hartlepool, had no previous convictions. The sentence includes one year on extended licence.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said the abuse had traumatised her victim adding: “I recognise that the sentence will be a long one for you to serve, but the crimes you committed were exceptionally depraved and serious and you robbed a young and vulnerable [person] of [their] childhood.”

Following the sentence, Sergeant Paul West from Cleveland Police’s Child Abuse Vulnerable Adults (CAVA) unit said: “The court heard in a victim impact statement how this offending has had a significant impact on the victims’ lives.

“I’d like to praise their bravery in coming forward and their strength throughout the court process.

“We welcome today’s sentence and hope it will give the victims’ some closure.”

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