Rhyss Laws

A repeat sex offender from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea has been sentenced to 45 months in prison following a guilty plea to sexual assault and exposure offences committed in Northumberland. Rhyss Laws, aged 25, targeted a teenage girl at an address in the Ashington area on the evening of 19 November 2023, attempting to coerce her into sexual activity before using force and exposing himself. The victim managed to escape the distressing attack and reported the incident to Northumbria Police the following day.

Laws appeared before Newcastle Crown Court last week, where he admitted to the latest charges of sexual assault and exposure. This is not Laws' first conviction for sexual offences; he was previously imprisoned in 2017 for sexual assault and assault after a street attack on a woman in Ashington in October of that year. In addition to the Northumberland offences, Laws pleaded guilty to several driving-related crimes committed in the Teesside area, including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, drink driving, driving without insurance, and criminal damage.

The court imposed a sentence of 45 months' imprisonment on Laws, who resides at Storey Crescent, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, reflecting the severity of his predatory behaviour. Detective Inspector Andrew Doyle of Northumbria Police described Laws as 'a dangerous predator' and stated that 'our communities are undoubtedly a safer place as a result of this sentence.' The officer emphasised the terrifying ordeal endured by the victim and expressed hope that the judicial process provides her with the closure needed to move forward.

This case underscores Northumbria Police's commitment to tackling sexual offences, with the force encouraging victims to come forward, assuring them of support and pursuit of justice. The sentencing serves as a deterrent to similar offenders, highlighting the consequences of such crimes.