Man jailed for string of sex attacks on children

Feb 27 2008 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

A WOMAN subjected to a series of childhood sex attacks has spoken of her relief after her tormentor was jailed indefinitely for the protection of the public.

The woman was just six years old when her decade-long nightmare began, but it was only last year, as an adult, that she was able to tell police about her traumatic ordeal.

She was at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday as her attacker, Stephen Ord, was given an indefinite jail term after being convicted of a total 19 offences of rape and sexual assault relating to her and two other young girls.

Ord, 54, of Taylor Street, Blyth, Northumberland, must serve at least eight years behind bars before he can be considered for parole. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and will remain on licence for life.

Speaking after the case, the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said: “I have had to live with this since I was six. I feel he has taken away my childhood.”

The woman, who reported her ordeal to police last August, had to give evidence in court against unemployed Ord after he denied all the charges against him.

She said: “I decided I would go to the police because it was just messing me up in the head and affecting my relationship with my partner.

“It was nerve-wracking giving evidence. I could have given evidence from behind a screen but I wanted to face him. There was always a chance he would get off because it was his word against mine and I never built my hopes up.

“When he was convicted, it was a total relief. I just broke down.

“I am pleased about the sentence because it means he cannot do the same thing to anyone else.”

The mother of one of the two other victims was also in court to see Ord jailed. She said her daughter had become a “totally changed” girl as a result of her traumatic experience.

Of the jail term imposed on Ord, she said: “I have been waiting for this day for so long. It’s an absolute relief to think he has been locked away so he is not a danger to other children.”

Both women praised the support given to them by police.

Jailing Ord, Judge John Milford told him: “You lack any remorse for your crimes and you are in my view extremely dangerous to young girls.”

The judge said Ord would only be released when the parole board considered it was safe to do so and would remain on licence for the rest of his life, subject to recall if he committed any further offence or breached his licence.