Noah Burge, 19, who was raped when they were 16 on a Gateshead riverbank, has faced an agonising wait for justice as the sentencing of their attacker has been adjourned eight times. Noah, who is non-binary, reported the rape to police after initially hiding it from loved ones. Nathan Longstaff pleaded guilty to rape, but the sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court has been repeatedly postponed.
Victim's ordeal and report
Noah had just finished their GCSEs in June 2023 when they joined a group of teenagers at a field near Winlaton. After becoming upset, they went to sit alone by the River Derwent, where Longstaff, who they did not know, came over to comfort them before raping them. Noah, who was wearing a school leavers hoodie, said they "froze" during the attack and did not know Longstaff's name.
"My body was frozen and I didn't know what to do," they said. "I asked him what his name was and he refused to tell me. I took that as an admission. The only thing I knew was what school he went to because he was wearing his leavers hoodie."
Noah initially told no one about the attack, but confided in their mum two months later. "I didn't want to talk to the police," they said. "After it happened I didn't tell anyone. I became a completely different person, I was running away, I drank and took drugs."
Police investigation and guilty plea
Noah was eventually convinced by their mum to contact police. Det Cons Philip Skeates, who led the investigation for Northumbria Police, helped build Noah's trust. "I think a lot of the time in this day and age you hear people hating on the police. I didn't have a lot of trust in the police before, but it was an amazing experience. Phil is one of the loveliest men I have ever met in my life. He was so professional."
Despite no CCTV or DNA evidence, police built a strong case, and Longstaff, of Ripon Street, in Bensham, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to one count of rape at Newcastle Crown Court in March. He was released on bail, and Noah expected to see their attacker punished soon.
Repeated adjournments and impact
Every time the case was listed for sentence, the hearing was adjourned at short notice for reasons including the defence barrister being sick and no suitable courtroom being available. Noah says their life has been on hold since the rape, and each adjournment feels like their attacker gets more time to enjoy freedom.
"Basically every month it's been adjourned to the next month and then the next month, it's been really difficult," they said. "I think its genuinely ridiculous. I don't understand why a case that has been ongoing for three years can't be a priority."
Noah added: "It's literally their job to help me and I feel they have failed. The police and my family are the only ones that have given me any help. But the court has given me just as much trauma as he has."
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "This Government inherited a justice system in crisis, with too many victims of rape and serious sexual offences facing unacceptable delays and uncertainty as they wait for justice. That's why we have announced a package of measures backed by £23m to support these victims, delivering courtrooms designed with their needs in mind and providing specialist training for staff to handle these cases with care. We are acting on all fronts, investing at record levels, driving system efficiency, and bringing forward structural reform – to tackle the backlog and deliver swifter justice for all."
