South Shields man aged 76 accused of committing sex offences against women and girls over 34 years

A South Tyneside man has appeared in court accused of committing sex offences against women and girls over a period of 34 years.

George Thompson, 76, of Harton Lane, South Shields, faces 19 charges against seven females between January 1992 and June this year.

At the borough’s magistrates court, he pleaded guilty to nine charges and did not enter pleas on all others – and his case was sent to be dealt with by Newcastle Crown Court.

At least three of the people he faces charges against were aged under 16 at the time, with two being 16 or over and the age of the others not revealed.

Two of his guilty pleas relate to one female who was aged under 16, with six relating to three other females, at least two of whom were aged 16 or over.

The age of the ninth female who he admitted offending against was not revealed to the court.

One withheld plea may be a duplicate charge that needs further investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service to see if it proceeds, his solicitor said.

Thompson pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault and two of indecent assault.

He did not enter pleas to a further six counts of sexual assault and four of indecent assault.

Prosecutor Yetunde Alake said the matters against Thompson could only be heard at the crown court.

Janice Hall, defending, said she agreed the crown court was the suitable venue.

District Judge Zoe Passfield sent all matters against Thompson to be heard at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, August 25.

She told him his guilty pleas meant he was now subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, commonly known as the sex offender register.