Gateshead predatory paedophile cricket coach gets sixth prison sentence for abusing boys

Michael Strange, who coached at clubs including Durham County Cricket Club, was jailed after his ninth and tenth victims found the courage to report their abuse

A paedophile cricket coach has been given his sixth prison sentence for abusing young boys.

Michael Strange, who was admired as a cricketer and looked up to by those he coached at clubs including Durham County Cricket Club, has now been convicted of indecently assaulting ten youngsters in offences spanning decades.

Since 2012, he has received a series of prison sentences. Now two more victims finally have justice after decades of suffering after they came forward to police when they saw media articles about the pervert.

The first victim was invited back to Strange's house after playing a round of golf with him, Newcastle Crown Court heard. When they got there, he put pornography on the TV in the living room, which was the first time the youngster had seen such material.

The boy was made to lower his shorts and Strange carried out a sex act. He then asked him to reciprocate but the victim ran out of the house and went home. Similar offending happened on two further occasions.

The court heard that the victim gave up playing cricket, at which he was talented and believed he could have had a good future, because he didn't want to risk seeing Strange again. The victim finally found the strength to report what had happened to him last year after seeing a media report about Strange's previous offending.

In a victim impact statement, he said he had lived with the impact of the offending for several decades and added: "There are no words to describe the extent of the damage this man has caused. The impact is so far-reaching and the damage is so great.

"As a result of this man's actions, I walked away from a sport I loved and was good at because I associated cricket with the abuse I suffered. At the time I didn't speak out because I felt ashamed and dirty."

He said Strange had been a "figurehead" in the cricketing world and said he felt he "robbed me of my teenage years". He added: "I believe there will be many more individuals like me who are yet to speak up. I hope he has a conscience and admits everything else he has done.

"The thing I struggle with is if I had spoken up at the time, could I have stopped other people being abused. I feel guilty about that and that's a guilt I've lived with for a long time." Judge Christopher Prince reassured him he has nothing to feel guilty about.

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The second victim was playing cricket when he was hit in the groin with a ball and was left in pain. Strange took him to the changing rooms and said he needed to apply some cream to his genitals and said he was a qualified first aider, insisting he had to put the cream on rather than allowing the youngster to do it. The victim said he felt powerless to stop him.

The man told his wife what had happened years later and contacted the police after seeing media coverage of Strange's past offending. He read his own victim impact in court while fighting back tears. He said: "I felt extremely ashamed and embarrassed about what happened.

"I was worried if I told my dad what he had done to me he would kill him and I was worried I would lose my dad." He said things began to spiral when his son reached the age he was when he was abused. He said he became over-protective as he was scared something similar might happen to him.

The man said he still has "horrific nightmares" about what happened to him. And he said his mother feels terrible guilt he was unable to share what he suffered as a child.

Strange, 64, of no fixed address but previously of Gateshead, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault on the first victim and one on the second victim. Jailing him for six years, Judge Prince said: "The impact on both men has been extremely upsetting, deeply and profoundly moving."

The court heard Strange has 30 previous convictions, all involving sexually abusing young boys.

In March 2012 he was jailed for six years for eight offences in relation to three victims. In January 2016 he was locked up for three years for ten offences in relation to one boy.

In March 2020 he was locked up for 54 months for nine offences against a boy. In January 2022 he got 40 months for two more offences in relation to two boys.

In September last year he got two years for indecently assaulting another boy.

Ian Hudson, defending, said Strange had written a letter of remorse.

The officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Lisa Herron, of Northumbria Police, said: “Michael Strange is a predatory paedophile who preyed on young boys throughout his cricket career where he was widely praised and respected.

“He robbed multiple young boys of their innocence and childhoods – which is truly unforgiveable. It has never been easy for anyone involved in this complex case to speak out and to have to re-live that childhood trauma.

“I want to reaffirm my thanks to the survivors of Strange’s crimes – your bravery is the reason he was put, and has remained, behind bars.”

Claire Wright, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS North East’s Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Unit, said: “As with his previous offending, it is clear from the evidence in this case that Michael Strange abused the trust placed in him as a cricket coach to commit these acts against his young victims.

“Strange is a dangerous sexual predator who gave little thought for the hugely damaging impact of his actions during the ruthless pursuit for his own sexual gratification.

“We would like to acknowledge the bravery of both victims in this case, who came forward to report these offences to police, despite the significant trauma they must have endured at Strange’s hands."

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