Anthony Toward

Anthony Toward, a 37-year-old man from Blakelaw, subjected a young girl to rape and sexual assault in a series of historic offences that remained hidden for years until the victim bravely came forward.

The abuse first came to the attention of authorities when the victim, who was a girl at the time of the attacks, confided in a close friend and a health professional about the trauma she had endured. This courageous disclosure prompted an investigation by Northumbria Police, leading to Toward's arrest. Despite denying the charges, Toward faced a five-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court in February, where a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Following the trial, Toward was remanded in custody. On Monday, 20 April 2026, he appeared again at Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing. The court imposed a 14-year custodial sentence, reflecting the severity of his predatory actions against a vulnerable child. In addition to his imprisonment, Toward was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life and received an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim from further contact.

Detective Constable Frank Cox of Northumbria Police, who led the investigation, commended the victim's bravery in a statement reported by Chronicle Live. 'I'd firstly like to highlight the bravery of the victim-survivor in this case,' Cox said. 'The courage and determination she has shown throughout this process has ultimately led us to holding Toward to account for the attacks he carried out.' He described Toward as a predator who had exploited the victim's vulnerability, adding that the sentence, while not full retribution, might offer some closure. The case underscores the importance of reporting historic sexual abuse, with Northumbria Police involved throughout the process in the North East of England.