Ex-councillor in prison for child sex attacks
A former Sunderland councillor has been jailed for more than 15 years for a series of sex attacks.
Thomas Wright, who was Labour councillor for the city’s Pennywell ward for 18 years, committed sex acts involving four children under the age of 16.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how the now 67-yearold targeted both male and female children between 1968 and 1982.
One of his victims spoke out about his ordeal at the time and although Wright was spoken to by the authorities, no action was taken against him.
Judge Stephen Earl jailed Wright for a total of 15 years and four months, with lifelong sex offender registration and sexual harm prevention order.
The judge said society now has to bear some "shame" for the way victims of abuse were treated in the past.
Christopher Rose, prosecuting told the court at the last hearing that the offences involved Wright making his victims perform a sex act on him as well as sexual activity.
One of Wright’s victims said: "From a very young age I have known you to be a child sexual predator.
"From the moment you told me not to tell anyone, otherwise we would both get into trouble, I have had to carry that burden for 50 years.
"You robbed me of ever having children as I feared, wrongly in my case, that the abused would become the abuser.”
Wright, of First Street, Consett, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault against a male, two counts of indecent assault against a female and three counts of committing serious sexual offences against a male.
Liam O'Brien, defending, said offences were committed when Wright was aged between 15 and 29 and asked the judge to consider the lack of maturity he would have had when younger.
He said Wright had served his local community, as a Labour councillor for 18 years and chairman of the Tyne and Wear Fire Authority.
Mr O'Brien said Wright is morbidly obese, uses crutches and has had back and heart problems – all of this is that he struggles with his day to day life."