Gateshead man who harassed women and scrawled abuse on their homes jailed
Last updated 28th Feb 2023
A menace who targeted women by scrawling sexually explicit messages on the property has been jailed .
Jeffrey Burke appeared at Newcastle Crown yesterday (Monday) where he was sentenced to two years in jail after targeting nine women and subjecting them to sexually motivated abuse.
Burke first came to the attention of authorities in 2020 when officers from the Gateshead East Neighbourhood Policing team received a flurry of complaints from women living in Bensham and St James’ Village.
The victims reported being targeted by an unknown man, who would scrawl sexually explicit phrases on their property, as well as leaving ladies underwear on their vehicles.
One victim also reported a terrifying ordeal in which Burke rang her intercom and told her he “liked to watch her getting in and out of the shower” and would tap on her windows in the early hours.
When officers began looking into the reports, they found all offences were being carried out in the early hours of the morning and immediately began a trawl of CCTV.
Before long they spotted Burke lurking outside a victim’s home and his image was circulated to officers across Gateshead – who soon identified him.
When they turned up at the 52 year-old’s place of work on the Team Valley Trading Estate to arrest him – he tried to hide, but was taken into custody. When his home address was searched, officers also found clothing which matched that from the CCTV.
Burke was interviewed and later released under investigation with an interim sexual risk order put in place which prevented him from entering parts of Gateshead and being on any private property without the owner’s permission and carrying marker pens in public.
However, it wasn’t long before his offending started again – with more handwritten notes found on women’s cars – and reports Burke had been stealing women’s underwear from washing lines.
Officers then worked with a specialist to forensically match the handwriting and prove Burke had lied about his actions. He was taken back into custody where he was charged with a total 13 offences including multiple breaches of his sexual risk order, criminal damage and stalking.
And on Monday, February 27, Burke, of Ferne Dene Road, was jailed for two years and issued with life-time restraining orders against all of his victims.
Speaking after the sentencing, Sergeant Elliott Richardson said: “Burke deliberately targeted women and frightened them by scrawling vile, abusive remarks of a sexual nature over their vehicles and their homes while they were inside.
“I am pleased the courts have recognised the danger Burke poses to women. He has shown himself to be a repeat offender and I hope this result can help all of the women who were victimised by him, begin to move forward and feel safe in their homes.
“The terror and fear these women endured is something no one should ever have to experience – some suffered from paranoia and were terrified they were going to be sexually assaulted; some changed their entire routine for fear of being watched, and others were left feeling completely vulnerable.
“We are completely committed to protecting people from predators like this. Our message is clear – anyone found to be carrying out offences like this will be pursued and brought before the courts.
“I’d like to thank the women affected for coming forward and reporting Burke – their testimonies have undoubtedly helped us build a clear picture of his offending and behaviour. I’d also like to thank officers for their hard work in ensuing this menace was arrested and dealt with by our partners in the criminal justice system.”