Former Durham junior cricket coach jailed for sixth time in 12 years

Michael Strange, now 64, from Gateshead, received a six-year sentence at Newcastle Crown Court for the abuse of two boys at North East clubs where he was, at the time, a respected coach.

Both boys were seen as promising players with potential to advance in the sport, but they each walked away from the game in the light of the abuse they suffered at the hands of someone they looked up to as a "father figure".

They were each said to have "bottled it up" for decades and only came forward, as the ninth and tenth "known victims" of Strange, after reading media reports of his previous cases.

(Image: Northumbria Police) One of the two latest victims of the former Durham junior coach said he fears the justice system has “only scratched the surface” of his sexual offending against young players.

Strange was sentenced today (Tuesday, September 17) after pleading guilty in June to four counts of indecent assault on two boys while they were under his tuition.

It is the sixth time Strange has been sentenced for abusing his position of trust to take advantage of young cricketers.

Strange’s offending is the subject of an ongoing internally-led review by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which began in the summer of 2023.

His two victims in this case, who cannot be named for legal reasons, provided what Judge Christopher Prince described as, "profoundly moving" personal statements about the impact of Strange’s offending on their lives.

One said he had been left feeling “powerless” and had left cricket because of Strange’s offending.

“My aim (in coming forward last year) was to expose Michael Strange for the individual he is.

"I believe there are many more who are yet to speak out,” he said in his statement, which was read by prosecution counsel Rachel Glover.

“I feel like the convictions (to date) have only scratched the surface of Michael Strange’s offending.”

Miss Glover had earlier said the first victim looked up to Strange as a “father figure”.

The second victim, who Strange had invited onto a coaching course after impressing for his club, said: “I went all out to impress Michael Strange but he took advantage of me for his own sexual gain.”

(Image: Northumbria Police) Judge Prince said he had received a letter of remorse from Strange but observed: “It has to be said, there is no real expression of remorse that I can see.

"I’m quite sure that you have regret for the ongoing sequence of complaints made against you.

“You have not got such remorse that it has taken you to a point in your life where, at any earlier stage, you have felt you would confess what you have done to persons of responsibility or to the police.”

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.

“Working closely with Northumbria Police, the Crown Prosecution Service was able to build a robust case against Strange, securing his guilty pleas to these serious charges.

"We sincerely hope that the sentence passed upon him today provides a good measure of comfort to his victims.”

The officer who led the investigation, 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 relive 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.”

Det Con Herron added: “I want to urge any victim of sexual abuse to please speak out regardless of when it happened or who the perpetrator was.

“We can offer support and guidance and put you in touch with specially-trained Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and introduce you to support networks who’ll be there for you at every step of the investigation.

“We’ll do everything we can to get you the justice you deserve, no matter how much time has passed.”

The opening of the ECB review in August 2023 came after another abuse survivor urged the governing body to hold an inquiry into Strange’s offending.

Strange was a coach and scout affiliated to Durham who also coached at other local clubs in the region.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

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Police started investigating him in 2005, but the first victim was not able to proceed with the complaint.

It was not until 2011 when police were able to gather sufficient evidence to submit a case to the Crown Prosecution Service and obtain charges that enabled Strange to be convicted for the first time in 2012.

He has since been sentenced for historic child abuse offences linked to cricket in 2016, 2020, 2022 and 2023.