December 2002

PERVERT FACES NEW CHARGES

A PAEDOPHILE serving a five-year prison sentence for sex attacks on children has been brought back to court to answer fresh charges.

George Fenwick, 55, was given the prison term in April 1999 and was due to be released on licence in August.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday how he was charged with more offences while serving his sentence and pleaded guilty to five further charges of indecent assault.

The new charges relate to attacks which happened in the 1990s – about the same time as the original offences.

Prosecutor Robert Woodcock told the court: “Each of the offences were committed before that sentence was passed.”

Judge David Hodson told him: “These offences I have to deal with today were committed at or about the same time of those other offences which resulted in a five-year sentence.

“If I had been dealing with these offences in 1999 it is exceedingly likely I would have passed concurrent sentences in respect of them, although the overall sentence may well have been longer.”

He added: “You have not been at liberty since 1999.

“When the sentence permitted you to be released on licence in August, you were immediately remanded in custody.”

Judge Hodson ordered Fenwick to serve a further 12 months behind bars.

Fenwick, of Mowbray Road, South Shields, will be put on the sex offenders’ register for life.