Police have pledged to continue to seek justice for survivors of paedophile Michael Strange following his sixth prison sentence for sexually abusing boys in his tuition.

The former cricket coach and talent scout received a further six-year sentence, to add to five others imposed since 2012 as more victims' experiences at his hands come to light.

In June, 64-year-old Strange was convicted of four counts of indecent assault and he received his latest term of custody at a sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday September 17).

He is already subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements as a sex offender, both for “indefinite” periods, which effectively means for life.

(Image: Northumbria Police)

Strange, who coached at a number of cricket clubs around the North East and also recommended promising young players for potential progression to Durham County Cricket Club, took advantage of his figurehead position to abuse boys mainly in the 13 to 15 age group.

He was initially jailed in 2012 for six years for abusing three boys in the 1990s.

In 2016, he received an additional three-year sentence for abusing another teen in the early 2000s and in 2020 he was handed an extra-four-and-half years behind bars for indecently assaulting another boy.

Then, in 2022, he was jailed for an additional three years and four months after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent sexual assault.

Last year he was handed a further two-year sentence after he was convicted of a further offence of indecent assault.

One of Strange's latest victims stated: “There are no words to describe the extent of the damage this man has caused.

“The impact is so far-reaching and the damage so great."

A further victim only confided in a loved one about the abuse he suffered after seeing a post on Northumbria Police's social media channels about Strange's offending, having previously felt “extremely ashamed” and “embarrassed”, leaving him feeling unable to report Strange’s offending.

One of the two victims whose cases reached a conclusion, yesterday, said the convictions so far may only be “scratching the surface” of the extent of Strange’s offending.

(Image: Northumbria Police)

Judge Christopher Prince, in passing sentence, said if Strange had felt remorse he would previously have come clean about all the incidents he was involved in down his years as a cricketing mentor for aspiring players.

The officer in charge of the police investigation, Detective Constable Lisa Herron, of the Northumbria force, 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.”

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.”

Anyone who has been victim of rape, sexual assault, or any form of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, is asked to contact police using the ‘Report’ pages or the ‘Live Chat’ function on the Northumbria force website, or by sending a direct message on social media.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

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For those unable to contact police this way, they should call 101, but the force advises the use of the 999 number in an emergency.

Further information about reporting rape or sexual assault is available by searching Northumbria Police, online.

Strange’s offending, from the 1980s to the early 2000s, is the subject of an ongoing internally-led review by the England Wales Cricket Board, which began in the summer of last year.