Overview
- Craig Ferguson, 46, was convicted of 10 child sexual offences at Newcastle Crown Court on May 6 following a six‑day trial.
- Court evidence shows Ferguson sexually assaulted two school‑aged girls on separate occasions in the Gateshead area and attempted to secure one girl’s compliance by supplying her with cannabis.
- Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department led a complex investigation that resulted in Ferguson’s arrest and charge after he denied wrongdoing when first questioned.
- On June 12 the judge classified Ferguson as a dangerous offender and sentenced him to 11 years in prison with a one‑year extended licence period and a requirement to serve at least two‑thirds before release; he will also be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order plus two lifelong restraining orders.
- Detective Sergeant Alan Gibbons praised the victims’ bravery and urged anyone affected by sexual abuse to report it through police report pages, by calling 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers, noting the case was handled through safeguarding channels to protect survivors.