March 2014
Jailed: The double rapist who threatened to kill his 14-year-old victim
A DOUBLE rapist who threatened to kill a teenage girl after he sexually assaulted her in her bedroom is finally behind bars.
Clifford Redhead warned the 14-year-old she would die if she reported the ordeal he put her through at a house in Washington in 1998.
A court heard that Redhead’s warning affected his young victim so severely that she still lives in fear of the 52-year-old attacker.
The threats ensured the schoolgirl’s silence after the rape and Redhead, who lived in Washington at the time, moved away from the Wearside area.
Just months later, the attacker, who has convictions for serious violence, raped another teenager in Scarborough.
The Echo understands Redhead engaged the 15-year-old in conversation in a public gardens area of the seaside town.
He then refused to let her leave and took her to the rear of a Citizens Advice Bureau, which was closed, where he raped her.
The teenager reported her ordeal and Redhead was arrested and later sentenced to six years behind bars by a judge at York Crown Court in November 1998 after admitting the offence.
Yesterday, at Newcastle Crown Court, Redhead, was given eight-and-a-half years for the Washington attack.
Judge Penny Moreland told him: “You went into her bedroom and you raped her in her own bed. You threatened to kill her before and after committing the offence against her.
“She has been permanently affected by the offence you committed. It has changed her life.
“She felt dirty, she felt worthless. You took away her childhood and her innocence.
“She continues to be in fear of you 15 years after the time you committed the offence. A serious aggravating feature was the threats you made.”
Prosecutor Gavin Doig said the threats made during the rape had an ongoing effect on the victim and “restrained her from reporting what had taken place.”
Redhead, now of Monroe Place, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to rape on the day his trial had been due to start.
Katherine Dunn, defending, said Redhead’s guilty plea meant the victim was not forced to relive her ordeal in the witness box.
Miss Dunn said there was “no excuse” for Redhead’s behaviour but he has had an “extremely troubled” background, going back to his childhood.
She added that Redhead has the support of his family, who have been supporting his efforts to change his life.
Redhead, who has 64 convictions, must sign the sex offenders register for life and abide by the terms of a sexual offences prevention order.
