Seven offenders from across the North East have been sentenced in court this week for crimes including rape, arson and crashing a van into a house. The cases span County Durham, Washington, Middlesbrough and Newcastle, with all defendants now serving time behind bars.
Rape and sexual offences
John Tyler, 54, previously of Tow Law, County Durham, was already serving jail for rape when he was handed an extra seven years. Tyler raped a teenager multiple times in historic offending several decades ago. The victim did not initially make a complaint after being threatened by Tyler, but reported him in 2024. Tyler was charged with four counts of rape on a girl under 16, pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea after the jury was sworn in at Durham Crown Court on Wednesday. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and handed a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order.
Liam Martin, 33, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, October 19, to be sentenced for charges relating to the rape of a child, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing/inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and voyeurism. He was given a sentence of 20 years plus one year on licence by Recorder Andrew Dallas. Cleveland Police said that during the complex investigation, the victim was offered specialist support as well as safeguarding by officers.
Owen Rowe, 23, of Billingham, was branded a "dangerous young man" by a judge. Rowe committed serious sexual offences against two women before being involved in an incident that resulted in a man sustaining a stab wound to his arm. He received a 15-year extended sentence at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, October 19, for rape, sexual assault, criminal damage, and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. In a victim statement, one woman said she had spent nights "crying myself to sleep" following the rape.
Assault and arson
David Hey, 40, threw water and a glass ashtray at police officers following their arrival at a Hartlepool property. The ashtray struck a wall, and shards of glass hit one of the officers. Hey had "swung" a zombie knife towards an officer attempting to detain him, Teesside Crown Court heard. He pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon; threatening a person with a weapon; affray and three counts of assault. In 2024, Hey received a prison sentence for punching his partner and driving her Ford Kuga into a brick wall, during which he bit one officer and headbutted two others. He received a two-year sentence.
Arthur Marsh, 53, of no fixed address, set fire to his bed at Abbott House in Newcastle, which provides rooms for 18 homeless people, on June 6 this year after receiving "bad news" that he was going to have to move. Newcastle Crown Court heard the fire caused substantial damage to the ceiling, walls and furniture in the room but didn't spread to other parts of the building. Marsh, who has 30 previous convictions including two arsons in 1994 and 1996, pleaded guilty to arson and was jailed for 28 months.
Drug offences and dangerous driving
Ridvan Fangaj, 25, of Swirral Edge, Washington, told police "I should have listened to my mother" as officers caught him red-handed at a cannabis farm. Police raided a three-bedroom semi-detached house on September 22 this year, finding five growing areas containing a total of 130 plants, 7.3 kilos of harvested cannabis in bags and £1,760 cash. Fangaj, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and was jailed for 15 months.
Arron Straughair, 36, of Brickgarth, Easington Lane, crashed a transit van into a house in Lilywhite Terrace, Easington Lane, Sunderland, in February, causing around £90,000 of damage. He had a breakdown product of cocaine in his system. Newcastle Crown Court heard the couple who lived there were forced to move out while repairs were carried out, and their granddaughter would normally play near the window of the room the vehicle smashed into. Straughair pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving and having no insurance and was sentenced to 16 months, suspended for two years, with probation requirements and a four-year road ban.
