Michael Burke, now 66, abused all three girls while they were school-aged.

He abused two of the victims in the 1990s, with his most recent offences committed within the past decade.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation after all three victims reported sexual assaults and rapes.

The woman said Burke overpowered them and sometimes assaulted his victims while they were asleep.

When arrested and questioned, he either denied the offences or repeatedly answered “no comment”.

Paedophile Michael Peter Burke given prison sentences totalling 24 years for the sexual abuse of three girls

After a complex investigation by Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, Burke, of Framlington Place, Newcastle, was charged with various counts of abuse.

He continued to deny the offences and absconded while on bail, forcing police to hunt him down and re-arrest him.

After a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in June, he was convicted of offences against all three women.

The convictions included five sexual assaults, two rapes and three indecent assaults. The latter offences took place before the Sexual Offences Act of 2003 came into force.

He was remanded in custody after the guilty verdicts and returned to court on Friday, September 18, where he was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Judge Carolyn Scott also ordered him to remain on the sex offenders’ register for life and imposed lifelong restraining orders protecting all three women.

They each provided Victim Personal Statements, detailing the lasting impact of Burke’s abuse on their lives.

One said the abuse devastated her mental health, led her to attempt suicide and resulted in a PTSD diagnosis.

She said: “One of the worst and most long-lasting effects of what happened to me was the way it affected my understanding of consent, control and my ability to protect myself.

 “The abuse did not simply remain in my childhood, but it followed me into my teenage years and adulthood, influencing the way I behaved, the decisions I made and the way I viewed myself.

“For many years, I thought I had learned how to live with everything that happened.

“The trial changed that.

 “Having to revisit that period of my life has brought back memories and emotions that I had spent years learning how to manage.

“I have experienced sleepless nights and a significant deterioration in my wellbeing.”

Another woman said she saw Burke as “a very evil man” after the abuse.

She said the abuse left her struggling to sleep and lying awake for much of the night.

When she eventually fell asleep, she soon woke after dreaming about Burke.

“I could never then sleep as I thought he would get to me.”

She said: “The way I tried to deal with this was to just try and put it in the back of my head.

“I became so angry towards everyone.

“I was upset all the time and did not know who I could trust anymore.

“When we had the trial, I was scared, feeling we would not be believed and he would get away with it.

“Since the trial, I have had a lot of nightmares, in which I see his face and then wake up thinking he is on top of me. 

“In some of my nightmares I am back in court, but I am alone and he is the only other person there.

“I am struggling to sleep and should go to the doctors to see if they can help me.”

She added: “I hate Michael Burke for what he has done to me.

“I cannot put into words how much damage he has done.

“I have so much anger and hate towards him.

“He has caused that much damage we will never be the same again, because of what he has done to us all.”

Detective Constable Colin Lether led the Northumbria Police investigation.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, he said: “Despite how much time has passed between the initial offending and the most recent, it has become clear that Michael Burke is a paedophile with a sustained interest in young girls.

“It’s evident from the testimonies of the victim-survivors just how much Burke’s offending has, and continues to, affect them.”

Det Con Lether added: “I am pleased that Burke’s horrific offending has finally come to light because these three women bravely came forward and allowed police to investigate.

 “All three have finally had the chance to put their abuser before the courts and to seek justice.

“I hope they can now move forward in whatever way they may be able.”

Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, recently or in the past, should contact Northumbria Police through its website’s “Report” pages or by direct message on social media.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

Anyone unable to report abuse online should call 101.

Call 999 in an emergency or if a crime is ongoing.

Crimes can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting its website.

Nigella Lawson’s potato and pepper bake is a simple one-pan traybake recipe that serves up to 10 people

Nigella Lawson has created countless recipes during her career, spanning both sweet and savoury dishes. Her Guinness cake is widely regarded as her most iconic creation.

However, when it comes to speedy weeknight meals, her traybake recipes prove particularly popular.

Among these is her potato and pepper bake, which boasts more than 24 four-star reviews on BBC Food. The recipe notes explain: “I never feel the need to apologise for using jars of chargrilled peppers, for while I don’t eat them just as they are, I find them the most useful ingredient. Just make sure you are using peppers preserved in oil rather than in brine. The potatoes don’t roast in this oil, so much as braise: they will crisp up in parts, but mostly just become softened and rich in the sweet peppery juices.”

This recipe yields eight to 10 portions, making it ideal for meal prep and packed lunches. Simply allow any leftovers to cool before covering them and promptly transferring them to the fridge.

According to the instructions, leftovers will remain fresh in the fridge for up to five days. To reheat, simply place them on a baking tray and warm through in a 200°C/180°C fan oven for approximately 20 minutes.

The potatoes can also be prepared a day ahead by peeling and slicing them, then storing them submerged in a bowl of cold water.

Nigella Lawson’s potato and pepper bake recipe

Ingredients:

• 2kg maincrop waxy potatoes, such as Cyprus
• Two 290g jars of chargrilled peppers in oil
• Two tablespoons of coriander seeds

Method:

Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan before peeling the potatoes and slicing them into 2.5cm pieces. Then, cut each slice into quarters and transfer them to a large shallow roasting tin.

Pour the jars of peppers and oil generously over the potatoes. The peppers tend to come in fairly small strips, but use scissors to cut them down further if needed.

Scatter the coriander seeds and toss all the ingredients together before placing in the oven for one hour.

Once cooked, the potatoes should be tender in the centre and golden on the outside, though not crispy except at the edges.

Using a slotted spatula or spoon, carefully transfer the potatoes into a large, warmed serving bowl, allowing any excess oil to drain back into the roasting tin.

Serve straight away, or leave to rest for around 15 minutes — or up to 45 minutes if you have the time — as Nigella suggests, they are equally delicious when served warm rather than piping hot.

Enjoy on their own as a fuss-free supper, or alongside a protein such as salmon or chicken.

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL)

Published: 09:53 BST, 21 September 2026 | Updated: 10:09 BST, 21 September 2026

Harvest mites live in vegetation and woodland across the UK and land on humans and animals, including dogs.

They’re also known as chiggers or berry bugs and September and October are among the peak months for their activity.

Hanna Yusuf, prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, warns: “Harvest mites, also known as chiggers or berry bugs, tend to thrive in late summer and autumn because this is when their larval state is most active.

“The tiny larvae live in long grass, woodland edges and overgrown vegetation, waiting to latch onto passing humans and animals.

“September and October are peak months for bites, making outdoor activities particularly risky at this time of the year.”

How to know if you’ve been bitten by a harvest mite

Harvest mites can be missed as they’re “extremely small and difficult to spot”, Yusuf explains.

You can expect them to “cause intensely itchy red bumps or clusters of raised welts on your skin.”

Sometimes, blisters or irritation can occur, especially where clothing is tight, like the ankles, waistline and behind the knees.

What to do if a harvest mite bites you

Yusuf says you should not scratch where you’ve been bitten because the risk of infection increases.

Instead, she advises: “Washing the area with soap and water, applying a cold compress, and using antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream can help relieve itching and swelling.

“If symptoms worsen, the area becomes painful, hot or swollen, or signs of infection develop, it’s important to seek advice from a pharmacist or healthcare professional.”

When it comes to preventing bites from the small bugs, you should wear long trousers and footwear that covers your feet if you’re walking in long grass.

The pharmacist recommends showering and changing your clothes when you have spent time in “high-risk” areas outside.

How do harvest mites affect dogs?

The PDSA says harvest mites are small and orange and cause problems for dogs during late summer and autumn.

It adds: “Harvest mite infestations are most common on the feet, legs, and sometimes in the ears.”

They live in the soil and are “most active” between July and November.

The PDSA explains: “If your dog picks up a harvest mite infestation, they will become itchy and uncomfortable.

Recommended reading:

“Some dogs are extremely sensitive to harvest mite saliva and develop intensely itchy, red, inflamed skin where they’ve been bitten.

“Infestations are most common in between toes, on the feet, legs, armpits, genitals, tummy, and can occasionally affect the ears.”

Pet owners should contact their vet if they think their dog or cat has harvest mites as they could need treatment.

Have you ever seen harvest mites? Let us know in the comments below.

A technical issue at an air traffic control centre in Prestwick is causing disruption across Scottish airspace.

Air Traffic Control provider NATS said they were reducing capacity of Scottish-controlled airspace while the problem is being fixed.

A NATS spokesperson said: ‘We are investigating a technical issue at our Prestwick centre in Scotland.

‘To maintain safety, air traffic regulations have been applied to manage traffic demand.

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‘Engineers are on site investigating and working to resolve the issue. The issue is unrelated to the technical problems experienced earlier this month.

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‘We apologise for the disruption and any delays to passengers’ journeys. Passengers should check with their airline for the latest information on their flight.’

NATS operates two air traffic control centres in the UK – one in Swanwick in Hampshire and the other in Prestwick.

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Prestwick Centre manages air traffic across northern England, Scotland and out into North East Atlantic.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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