A young man broke down in tears during his court sentencing for assaulting a girl he had met while socializing at a park in South Shields. Owen Wilson, now 18 years old, sobbed as Judge Penny Moreland handed him a two-year suspended prison term at Newcastle Crown Court.

Wilson, residing at Grace Court in South Shields, was also ordered to complete 250 hours of community service and 40 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, he received a 10-year restraining order and was mandated to register as a sex offender for a decade.

According to court records, Wilson, who was 15 years old at the time, was with friends at a South Shields park on August 19, 2023, where they interacted with younger girls also present in the park.

The victim had been socializing with Wilson’s group but later found herself alone with him. The next day, she confided in a friend that Wilson had sexually assaulted her. Subsequently, she informed a family member who reported the incident to the authorities. During police questioning, Wilson remained silent but later confessed to the crime during a court hearing.

Judge Penny Moreland explained that the sentencing was based on the penalties applicable at the time of the offense, when Wilson was still a minor.