Man 'ruined' children's lives with sex assaults

Michael Moran was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court

A pensioner "ruined" two children's lives when he groped them as they played outside, a court has heard.

Michael Moran, 74, sexually grabbed the two youngsters, who were both under 10, as they were playing near their homes in Sacriston, near Durham, in August, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Both children were now afraid to leave their homes and suffered nightmares and flashbacks, their respective parents said.

Moran, who was jailed for rape in the 1980s, admitted sexually assaulting the children and was given a community order, having spent seven months on remand at HMP Durham awaiting the case's conclusion.

On 19 August, Moran walked by the children then returned about half an hour later with hat on in a bid to "disguise" himself, prosecutor Johnny Walker said.

He started dancing with them then molested them, asking one sexual questions, the court heard.

Moran was quickly confronted by the children's parents and was arrested a short while later at a bus stop, the court heard.

'Filthy, dirty hands'

In a statement read to the court, the first child's mother said they had been a "happy, friendly, adventurous" youngster before the groping.

She said the child was now "constantly worried and upset", feared going outside to play and regularly had nightmares and flashbacks.

"It has traumatised us all," the woman added.

The mother of the second victim said their child was also scared to go outside and had nightmares.

She said Moran had "ruined" the children's lives by putting his "filthy, dirty hands" on them, adding: "People like you need locking up for the rest of your lives."

The court heard Moran was jailed for four years in 1980 for raping an adult, although no other details were given.

'Early onset dementia'

In mitigation, the court heard Moran, of Elm Court, in Sacriston, had been having memory and cognitive difficulties and was set to be assessed for early onset dementia.

He also deeply regretted any harm caused, the court was told.

Judge Joanne Kidd said the confusion, sadness and fear felt by the two "innocently playing" children was understandable, adding she "sincerely hoped" as timed passed they would feel safe to play outside again.

The court heard Moran had spent seven months in HMP Durham awaiting the conclusion of the case, meaning he had served the equivalent of a 14-month jail term.

Judge Kidd said had he been out on bail, she would have jailed him for a year for the offences, but because he had, in effect, already served that time he would instead be given a two-year community order.

He was also made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with children under 16 and a restraining order banning him from contacting either of the two victims, or entering the area where they lived.