A sexual "menace" who targeted women by scrawling explicit messages on their property has been jailed.

Jeffrey Burke received a two-year sentence at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday (Monday February 26) after subjecting nine women to sexually motivated abuse.  

Burke first came to the attention of authorities in 2020 when officers from Northumbria Police’s Gateshead East Neighbourhood Policing team received a series of complaints from women living in the Bensham and St James’ Village areas.

The victims reported being targeted by an unknown man, who would scrawl sexually explicit phrases on their property, as well as leaving female underwear on their vehicles.

Read more: County Durham sex offender failed to reveal all devices to police

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 the offences were committed in the early hours 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 were soon able to identify 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.

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When his home address was searched, officers also found clothing which matched that from the cctv.

Burke was interviewed and was later released “under investigation”, with an interim sexual risk order put in place prohibiting him from entering parts of Gateshead, going onto any private property without the owner’s permission and carrying marker pens in public.

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But it was not long before his offending started again, with more handwritten notes found on women’s cars and reports that Burke had been stealing women’s underwear from washing lines.

Officers then worked with a specialist to forensically match the handwriting to 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.

It resulted in his court appearance on Monday, at which Burke, of Fern Dene Road, Saltwell, Gateshead, was jailed and issued with life-time restraining orders relating to all of his victims.

Speaking after the sentencing, Sergeant Elliott Richardson, of Northumbria Police, 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 to 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, while 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.

Read next:

               Paul Cranston, from Stanley, jailed for child sex offences

               Boy was given cider before County Durham sex offender groped him

               Darlington sex offender back in court for breaching order

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“Their testimonies have undoubtedly helped us to 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.”

Anyone seeking to report a crime is asked to use the “Tell us Something” page on the force’s website.