MARRI DUGDALE – SPENNYMOOR, COUNTY DURHAM Woman Convicted of Historical Sexual …

❌MARRI DUGDALE – SPENNYMOOR, COUNTY DURHAM❌

Woman Convicted of Historical Sexual Offences and Attempt to Pervert Justice

A woman has been convicted of sexually abusing a young girl as a teenager, more than 25 years after the offences were committed.

Marri Dugdale, 41, of Hawthorn Road, Spennymoor, was found guilty at Durham Crown Court of one count each of indecent assault and indecency with a child. She was acquitted of three other charges. The offences occurred when Dugdale was 15 years old, and the court heard she used threats and manipulation to abuse her victim, who was much younger.

The victim reported the abuse at the time, but her mother, seeking to protect her, did not allow a medical examination or court attendance, and the case did not proceed. The matter was reopened in 2020 after the victim, now an adult, came forward to police.

Dugdale also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by making a false allegation to police in 2024, claiming her victim had mistreated a child. Police quickly identified the claim as malicious, and Dugdale admitted the offence in court.

During sentencing at Leeds Crown Court on November 2, Judge Ray Singh noted that Dugdale, then a teenager, had exercised her power over the much younger victim, causing a “devastating impact.” The judge highlighted that the abuse contributed to lifelong challenges for the victim, including mental health struggles, panic attacks, self-harm, and alcohol issues.

Dugdale was sentenced to four years in prison, which includes six months for the attempt to pervert the course of justice. She will also be subject to indefinite registration as a sex offender and a lifetime restraining order, preventing any contact with the victim.

Her defence counsel noted that Dugdale, who worked as a carer, had lived a largely law-abiding life since the original offences but can no longer work in the care sector due to the convictions.