Hebburn man jailed for attempted rape of 16-year-old in South Tyneside

Steven Nixon of Tweed Street attempted to rape a 16-year-old girl near West Park in July
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A sexual predator who attempted to rape a teenager in South Tyneside has been put behind bars for seven years and three months.

In the late hours of Tuesday, July 19, 38-year-old Steven Nixon preyed on his victim near West Park in Jarrow as she was walking home shortly after 11 pm. Nixon attempted to rape the victim, who was 16 years old at the time, before leaving the area.

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In a distressed state, the victim managed to run to safety and flagged down nearby residents to seek help and call the police. Officers attended the scene and an investigation was launched to track down Nixon through hours of CCTV images and forensic work.

The criminal, of Tweed Street in Hebburn, was located and arrested after three days, and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on August 22 where he pleaded guilty to attempted rape. On Monday, October 18, Nixon was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Steven Nixon has been sentenced after attempting to rape a teenagerSteven Nixon has been sentenced after attempting to rape a teenager
Steven Nixon has been sentenced after attempting to rape a teenager

Detective Sergeant Kimberley Wright, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, said: “The bravery the victim has shown throughout the investigation and court proceedings – and continues to display to this day – has been nothing short of incredible. Thanks to her courage, and with support from many of those residents who gave her vital support in the initial aftermath, we were able to identify Nixon quickly and put him before the courts.

“The hard work and dedication of all the officers and police staff involved in this case meant that a thorough file was presented before the CPS, which left Nixon little choice but to admit his guilt. Nixon left a trail of evidence, meaning that detectives were quickly able to catch up with him and irrefutably place him at the scene of the crime.

The attack happened near West Park in Jarrow (Image: Google Streetview)The attack happened near West Park in Jarrow (Image: Google Streetview)
The attack happened near West Park in Jarrow (Image: Google Streetview)
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“And after being convicted, Nixon has now been put behind bars for a considerable amount of time where he can’t hurt anyone else. While his disgusting actions will stay with the victim, now 17, both mentally and physically for a long time, I hope that today’s result will offer some form of closure.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully rare in our Force area, however when such offences do occur, we are here to support victims and are committed to bringing effective justice against those responsible. I would urge anyone who has been the victim of any form of sexual offence to come forward – please know that we are here for you, we will listen and we will support you.”

To disclose any form of sexual abuse, visit the Northumbria Police website’s ‘Tell us Something’ page, call 101 or 999 in an emergency.