A woman whose life was profoundly impacted by childhood abuse confronted her abuser in Newcastle Crown Court, describing how the molestation had left her feeling disconnected from her own body and burdened with shame and self-doubt.
The incident occurred when the victim was 13 years old in the Washington area of Tyne and Wear. The offender, then known as Ryan Haley and now identifying as Natalie Wolf, groped the girl's chest and attempted to touch her groin. The victim feared she was going to be raped during the assault. Prosecutor Nicoleta Alistari outlined these details during the trial.
Wolf, aged 47 and residing in Byker, Newcastle, was under 30 at the time of the offence. In court, Wolf was referred to with female pronouns but had been held on remand at HMP Durham, a men's prison. Wolf denied the charges, claiming they were a 'pack of lies' and alleging a conspiracy involving the courts, police, and even suggesting jurors had been 'hypnotised'. Despite these claims, a jury found Wolf guilty of sexual activity with a child.
The victim delivered a powerful impact statement, stating: 'While I struggled to exist in my own skin, the person who hurt me seems to have found peace in theirs.' She added, 'Ryan Haley wants everyone to know him as Natalie Wolf, in my eyes he is Ryan Haley, the man who sexually abused me.' She described her body as a 'battlefield' and said, 'Ryan, you destroyed me as a child, a teenager and as an adult.' The woman spoke out 'not just for me but for all the women and children sexually abused by men', highlighting the lasting isolation and discomfort caused by the abuse.
Judge Gavin Doig sentenced Wolf to three years and six months in prison, rejecting the conspiracy claims and stating, 'You are not the victim of a conspiracy. You are not the victim here at all.' The judge praised the victim's bravery and expressed hope that Wolf, who has a personality disorder and long-standing mental health issues including claims of brain damage and being born intersex, would seek help, warning that continued denial would lead to 'greater misery'.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Wolf was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and required to sign the sex offender register for life. The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court, with evidence presented from Northumbria Police.