Paedophile receives sixth prison sentence for sexual abuse

Police continue to seek justice for survivors of paedophile Michael Strange – after he receives sixth prison sentence for non-recent sexual abuse.

Cricket coach and former scout Strange was sentenced to a further six years behind bars.

In June, Strange, 64, was convicted of four counts of indecent assault and today (Tuesday) a judge at Newcastle Crown Court handed him a further jail term.

Strange was previously jailed in 2012 for six years for abusing three boys in the 1990s.

In 2016, he received an additional three-year sentence for abusing another teen in the early 2000s and in 2020 he was handed an extra-four-and-half years behind bars for indecently assaulting another boy.

Then, in 2022, he was jailed for an additional three years and four months after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent sexual assault.

And last year, his was handed a further two-year sentence after he was convicted of an offence of indecent assault.

He has previously been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

One of Strange's victims states 'there are no words to describe the extent of the damage this man has caused, the impact is so far-reaching and the damage so great'.

A further victim only confided in a loved one about the abuse he suffered after seeing a post on Northumbria Police's social media channels about Strange's offending, having previously felt 'extremely ashamed' and 'embarrassed'.

The officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Lisa Herron, of Northumbria Police, said: “Michael Strange is a predatory paedophile who preyed on young boys throughout his cricket career where he was widely praised and respected.

“He robbed multiple young boys of their innocence and childhoods – which is truly unforgiveable.

“It has never been easy for anyone involved in this complex case to speak out and to have to re-live that childhood trauma.

“I want to reaffirm my thanks to the survivors of Strange’s crimes – your bravery is the reason he was put, and has remained, behind bars.”

Det Con Herron added: “I want to urge any victim of sexual abuse to please speak out regardless of when it happened or who the perpetrator was.

“We can offer support and guidance and put you in touch with specially-trained Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and introduce you to support networks who’ll be there for you at every step of the investigation.

“We’ll do everything we can to get you the justice you deserve, no matter how much time has passed.”

Anyone who has been victim of rape, sexual assault, or any form of sexual abuse – whether recent or non-recent – is asked to contact police using the ‘Report’ pages of the Northumbria Police website, by using the Live Chat function on the website, or by sending a direct message on social media.

For those unable to contact police this way, call 101.

Always call 999 in an emergency. 

For more information about rape or sexual assault search Northumbria Police online.