Owen Wilson, a teenage rapist, wept in court as he was handed a suspended sentence for raping a 12-year-old girl he met in a park. The 18-year-old, from Grace Court, South Shields, broke down sobbing as Judge Penny Moreland sentenced him at Newcastle Crown Court to a two-year suspended sentence, 250 hours of unpaid work, and 40 days of rehabilitation activity. He was also issued a ten-year restraining order and placed on the sex offenders register for a decade.
Details of the Offence
The court heard that Wilson, then aged 15, was drinking with friends in a park in South Shields during the school summer holidays in August 2023. His group began speaking to younger girls in the park, including the victim. The 12-year-old was given alcohol by the older group and later left alone with Wilson, who raped her.
The following day, the victim confided in a friend about the assault and then informed a family member, who contacted the police. When interviewed, Wilson provided “no comment” answers but later pleaded guilty to rape at a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Sentencing Remarks
Judge Moreland stated that she had to impose the sentence that would likely have been given at the time of the offence, when Wilson was 15, meaning he could avoid custody. Wilson had no previous offences. The judge noted the seriousness of the crime but applied sentencing guidelines for juveniles.
