Ex-Durham coach handed third jail term for sexual abuse

Michael Strange was previously incarcerated for a combined nine years for the abuse of four boys during the 1990 and 2000s

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A former Durham coach and scout has been handed a third jail term after being found guilty of abusing a fifth individual.

Michael Strange, who was a well-respected figure at Chester-le-Street, has been handed a four-and-a-half-year prison term.

The 60-year-old, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court as he was convicted of nine counts of sexual assault.

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

He then received a three-year sentence in 2016 for exploiting another boy in the early 2000s.

A fifth victim came forward after being abused by Strange during the 2000s. Strange would offer him lifts home, sometimes taking him to remote locations and even forcing him to watch pornographic films.

Police have appealed for other victims of historical sexual abuse to come forward.

Detective Constable Ryan Askwith said: “Strange, once revered as a ‘hero’ in cricket circles, is a dangerous predator that preyed on young boys under his tutorage. I want to praise his victims who have come forward to ensure justice has been carried out.

"I understand there may well be victims who perhaps might not want to come forward or could feel they have left it too late, this is absolutely not the case. We can still seek justice for those who have suffered and we actively urge victims to speak out.”