Latest Offenders

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A man has been jailed for 14 years after admitting sexually assaulting a child.

Stephen Harrison, 40, of Barrington Road, Salisbury, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Tuesday.

Wiltshire Police said he had pleaded guilty to "multiple counts" of sexual assault on a child under 13 and an attempted rape.

The offences took place on various dates between 2015 and 2020, the court was told.

Det Con Dawn Rowan, from Wiltshire Police, said: "Firstly, I would like to praise the victim in this case who has shown bravery and courage well beyond her years in reporting this to police and ensuring this dangerous man is put behind bars.

"Harrison has shown little remorse for his despicable actions, continuing to lie through numerous police interviews before eventually pleading guilty in court.

"I am pleased that we were able to secure this conviction and see Harrison sentenced.

"We are committed to targeting individuals who commit such abhorrent crimes, regardless of how much time has passed since.

"I would urge anyone reading this who has experienced something similar to report it to police immediately - you will be fully supported through the process by specially-trained officers", she added.

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John Edwards, 64, of May Street, Hartlepool, was jailed for 18 years at Teesside Crown Court earlier this month after being convicted of two counts of gross indecency with a child and two of rape.

His brother Maurice Edwards, 74, of Tithe Barn Road, in Stockton, received 27 and a half years after he was found guilty of two counts of rape and indecent assault against the same victim.

Specialist detectives have praised the survivor who bravely came forward and was offered specialist support.

Detective Constable Mel Phelps, from Cleveland Police’s Child Abuse and Vulnerable Adult Unit (CAVA), said: “This was a horrific case involving two brothers carrying out extensive abuse – one against a child and the other as the survivor reached adulthood.

“Their actions have had a massively detrimental effect on the survivor, sadly causing lasting effects.

“I can’t praise the survivor enough for their bravery though – throughout the investigation and during the trial itself.

"The trauma of having to go over these devastating events must have been unbearable but we all shared a determination to achieve justice and to see both Edwards brothers dealt with.

“I hope the lengthy sentences handed to these men demonstrate police and the judicial system’s view of such horrendous offending, and that the survivor can continue to move forwards with their life."

The brothers were charged in 2020 and stood trial for two weeks last month.

John Edwards was also given one year extended licence for when he is eventually released from prison.

Both will also be subject to lifelong restraining orders preventing them from contacting their victim and will be placed on the sex offenders’ register.

CAVA Acting Detective Chief Inspector Mathew Waterfield paid tribute to the victim, adding: “I also wish the survivor the very best for the future; their courage and unwavering determination to seek justice after their unimaginable and harrowing experience is absolutely awe-inspiring.

“I would also take this opportunity to remind anyone who has experienced any kind of abuse, however long ago, that they can report in complete confidence to Cleveland Police.”

People can report incidents through the Cleveland Police website or by phoning 101 any time.

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A man who raped a sleeping woman after giving her alcohol and medication bought on the streets has been jailed.

Bruce Patterson was watching TV with the victim when he gave her booze and a tablet which he'd bought on the streets. But when the woman fell asleep, Patterson went on to rape the woman and interfered with her for over an hour.

The next day, the 37-year-old pretended like nothing had happened and even asked for her number. The attack left the woman feeling "minging" and she continues to struggle coming to terms with what happened.

On Tuesday, Patterson, of West Percy Street, North Shields, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for rape. The offence was committed in the Whitley Bay area last year.

The court heard that Patterson and the woman were watching TV together, with the woman sharing a duvet with him. Judge Julie Clemitson said: "You gave her a tablet, these were street-bought tablets. She had had quite a lot of alcohol to drink and a strong painkiller on top of the alcohol. Over the next couple of hours you watched films and she fell asleep. It is clear she was soundly asleep but was aware of being lumped around."

The court heard the woman had not "fully awoken" when Patterson raped her and interfered with her, and she had no idea how long the incident lasted. Judge Clemitson said that Patterson took "well over an hour" when interfering with the woman before he went out for a cigarette.

The next day, Patterson acted like "nothing had happened", but the victim's "hazy memory" brought what happened back and she knew he had raped her. The court heard she was left feeling "minging" and "struggling" with what happened.

David Callan, defending, said Patterson had no other convictions relating to sexual offending and said he had been abused himself when young. He said Patterson has a learning difficulty and suffers from bipolar disorder, and is "institutionalised" in prison. He added: "He accepts the verdict but doesn't agree with it."

Patterson was jailed for nine years and will be on the sex offender's register for life.

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A former Scout leader was jailed for non-recent sexual offences against children.

Jonathan Withey, 42, sexually assaulted a boy and a girl after meeting them at a Scout camp in 1997.

The following year, Withey began sexually abusing the two children, who were in their early teens at the time.

The girl was subjected to sexual abuse over a four-year period and the boy suffered for three years.

Withey, who was 16 when he met the children, was found guilty of two counts of rape, three indecent assaults, six counts of indecency with a child and two counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

On September 1, Withey, of Tindall Close Chilwell, was jailed for a total of 16 years with a further one year to serve on licence and placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for life.

Police investigator Kerry Humphreys, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Withey abused his position of trust as a Scout leader to prey upon these children over a long period of time.

“He must have thought after all these years he had got away with his offending. However, he underestimated the bravery of his victims and the determination of officers to bring him to justice.

“Withey continued to deny his offending and subjected his victims to a court trial. Throughout the proceedings, he has not expressed any remorse about the ordeal they have gone through.

“He is a devious and predatory sex offender whose offending has unsurprisingly had a very significant impact on these two victims.

“As Withey prepares to spend a lengthy period behind bars, I’d like to personally thank them for their bravery in coming forward.

“Withey would have remained a danger to any children he came into contact with if they had not spoken out about what happened."

Detective sergeant Adam Taylor added: “Nothing is more important to the force than the safety and wellbeing of children.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in bringing this man to justice and hope this case serves to encourage other victims to come forward.”

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An inmate groped two prison officers while they served her food in her cell, after being locked up for sexually assaulting a nurse.

Katana Paris who identifies as a woman, assaulted the male and female staff members at HMP Forest Bank in Salford last year. The female officer was serving Paris, 27, breakfast with the help of two inmates. Paris walked towards her and touched her inappropriately.

The following day, while being served lunch by a male prison officer, she reached through the hatch in her cell door and grabbed his genitals. Paris, who was part way through serving a three-year sentence at the time for sexual assaulting a nurse, admitted two counts of sexual assault. At Manchester Crown Court, she was handed a six-month sentence to be added to her prison time.

Prosecuting, Megan Edwards said that on the day of the incident, a female prison officer was on breakfast duty at around 7.50am. "She approached the defendant's cell and unlocked the door in order to serve her breakfast," Mrs Edwards said. "She stepped out of the cell, which was unusual, as prisoners would normally remain in their cell.

"She asked the defendant to move back, but the request was ignored. The defendant then placed a hand on her hand, before sliding her fingers between her knuckles." The officer moved away and the two prisoners helping gave Paris with her breakfast. She then 'jumped up and down like she was excited', before moving over to the woman and touching her genitals.

"She did not say anything when she did this, but she was shocked and in disbelief that she deliberately touched her like that," the prosecutor added. One of the prisoners, the court heard, said to the officer: "Did she just touch your..." She he replied: "Yes, she just touched me."

Not wanting the rest of the inmates to know what happened, the prison officer continued to serve breakfast, before reporting the incident. A day later, a male custody officer was serving lunch when he went to Paris' cell. She was 'quite aggressive', the court heard. As he unlocked the hatch to her door and passed her food through, she reached her right hand out and grabbed his genitals.

"He immediately felt violated and used his body strength to push her back into her cell," Ms Edwards said. Paris has convictions for 87 offences - including sexual assault by touching. She was previously handed a 37-month sentence after pulling a nurse towards her genitals while in hospital, the court heard.

Mitigating, Rochelle Collins said her client was suffering with mental health problems and emotional regularity problems at the time. "She is extremely remorseful and tells me this happened at a time when her mental health was at its lowest," she said. "She doesn’t want to continue with these types of behaviours. There has been no further complaint whilst she has been in custody."

Sentencing, the Recorder of Manchester, Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: "Prison officers are placed in a vulnerable position - they are described as emergency workers. They are in a situation where they are vulnerable to these sorts of assaults and they deserve and require the protections of the courts when assaults such as this happen. I have read and considered a pre-sentence report, and I am not convinced you have shown any significant remorse. It seems to me you regard what you did as being rather trivial."

Paris is now at HMP Swaleside. She will be on the sex offender register for five years.

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A sick monster has continued to deny his horrifying sex crimes as he is jailed for 18 years.

Ashif Nashaat is starting the lengthy stint behind bars after he was found guilty of two counts of attempted rape. In one of the sickening incidents, the now 41-year-old tried to rape a child under the age of 13.

Years later, he attempted to rape his victim, who was then over the age of 16. But the cruel Middlesbrough sex offender has continued to deny the charges forcing his victim to give evidence during a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

In an impact statement, read out by prosecutor Johnny Walker, the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said: "I feel it's very difficult to put into words how this case and this man Ashif Nashaat has made me feel.

"I feel so numb, I have lost my trust in everything."

"It ruined me as a person," they added.

"I honestly feel ashamed about what has happened to me - I know I shouldn't but I do.

"I'm never going to have a normal life ever. This will always be in my life, I just hope I have the strength to move forward."

Nashaat, who was represented by Alex Menary, spoke only to confirm his name and that he could hear the proceedings as he attended via a video link from HMP Durham. The 41-year-old had no previous convictions for sexual offences but had previously been convicted of harassing a former partner.

Mr Menary said the defendant continues to deny the two offences.

During sentencing, Judge Howard Crowson outlined that the sentences for both offences must be served consecutively. Speaking of the second offence, he added: "I cannot regard you as a man with no similar offending - you were simply a man who by then had not been discovered to be a sexual offender."

Nashaat, of Diamond Road, Middlesbrough, was jailed for 11 years - one year of which will be served on extended licence - for the attempted rape of a child and an additional eight years for the attempted rape on a person over the age of 16.

He will be subject to a notification requirement - the Sex Offenders' Register - indefinitely and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order.

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A RAPIST who attempted to blame his crime on an undiagnosed sleep disorder called sexsomnia has been jailed for six years.

At Carlisle Crown Court, a judge said that 32-year-old Thomas Charleston targeted his victim when she was vulnerable and then showed no remorse as he attempted to defend and explain his actions during a trial.

A jury rejected his claim, convicting him of rape and a serious sexual assault. Charleston committed the offence while staying in caravan park accommodation in the Lake District in 2019, the court heard.

On the day of the offences, the defendant had spent the day drinking, and it was clear he had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol, said Judge Nicholas Barker.

When he carried out the attack, Charleston believed his victim, who had also been drinking, was asleep and as he left the room where he raped her he kissed her and said: Good night, pretty.

She was immediately distressed and reported what happed to a security guard, who in turn contacted the police.

During the trial, Charleston did not deny her testimony but said he was suffering from sexsomnia, a condition where people have sex while in deep REM sleep. He claimed this had made him completely unaware of his actions.

When he was initially interviewed by police he was asked if he had any history of doing what he did that night, to which he said no, and if he had any medical conditions, to which he stated hayfever.

He did not mention sleepwalking or sexsomnia.

Describing the impact on the victim, Judge Barker said her statement clearly demonstrated the continuing and destructive impact of the rape. She has suffered significantly, the judge told Charleston. She finds it almost impossible to countenance the idea that she could trust a man again and have a meaningful relationship.

You are responsible for that; its your actions with caused that.

As well as jailing the defendant, whose address was given as Victoria Street, Accrington, the judge placed him on the Sex Offender Register indefinitely and imposed a restraining order banning any contact with the victcim.

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An army veteran plied a 12-year-old girl with cigarettes and alcohol and repeatedly molested her at remote locations around Kirriemuir.

Sinister John Tervet lured the youngster to secluded spots with promises of alcohol, sent her sexual images of his crotch and boxer shorts and told her: Come alone.

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A convicted sex offender who was recalled to prison multiple times after being released from an eight-year sentence has been jailed again.

Kurt Alexander was caught in the toilets of an Asda supermarket in Keighley in April, during the school holidays, “sweating profusely”, and in possession of three pairs of girls’ knickers.

Preston Crown Court heard the convicted paedophile had been jailed in 2011 for a range of sexual assault charges but following his release had been recalled to prison on numerous occasions for breaching his sexual offences prevention order and failing to comply with his notification requirements.

He was ultimately released in February, but just five days later he was making searches on a mobile phone relating to the ‘sexual abuse of children’ and ‘girl’s panties’.

Prosecuting, Cecilia Pritchard said that, sicne his release from prison, police had found nappies in his home as well as children’s underwear.

She said: “Then, on April 3 at 2.30pm, his offender manager was on duty and attended Keighley town centre after receiving information that Alexander had been seen entering numerous town centre shops.

“He was located in the men’s toilets in Asda, sweating profusely.

“They spoke to him about their concerns as it was half term, and he was asked to produce any devices he had on him.

“He handed over an Alcatel mobile phone, but officers asked what was in his top pocket and pulled out a Huawei smart phone.

“He was arrested having breached his sexual offences prevention order and was taken to the police station, and during the journey there he said he just wanted to plead guilty to everything.”

Ms Pritchard said a pair of girl’s knickers, aged five to six, were found in his pocket and two more pairs located in a washing powder box he had with him.

Police also found a micro-SD card which contained images of children – eight category C images featuring young girls between the ages of 12 and 14 in bikinis.

Ms Pritchard went on: “He’d also zoomed into their genital areas on these images which is where the making of indecent images comes from.

“He was interviewed and answered no comment but did in fact plead guilty at the first opportunity.”

Alexander, of Mason Street, Colne, has two convictions for 24 previous offences and pleaded guilty to two breaches of his sexual offences order, failing to comply with notification requirements, and making indecent images of children.

Mitigating, Kristian Cavanagh said his client had committed “abhorrent offences” and recognised he had done wrong.

Recorder Daniel Prowse said: “You had been monitored by the police since your release and had been found in possession of nappies, and on one occasion you were found in the children’s section of a library reading a book about child rape.

“You were also provided with anti-libido medication but had stopped taking these.

“Then in April you were found in Asda toilets during half term with two phones and three pairs of knickers, as well as a tourist leaflet with pictures of children on it.

“Your frankness with probation is to your credit but it’s very worrying as you say you are attracted to children.

“You also said you are sexually aroused by nappies and children’s underwear, and I am satisfied these were deliberate breaches.”

Alexander, 56, who appeared in the dock clutching a bible with a set of rosary beads around his neck, was jailed for two years and was made subject to lifetime notification requirements.

His previous sexual offences prevention order was replaced with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

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A "dangerous and predatory" paedophile who raped a woman while on bail awaiting trial for sexual assaulting two children has been jailed.

Michael Levy, 39, sexually abused a nine-year-old and a 13-year-old on a number of occasions between 2019 and 2021, Lancashire Police said.

He then pressured a woman into letting him into her home before raping her.

Levy has been jailed for 18 years at Preston Crown Court after being convicted in two separate trials.

He was found guilty of 13 sexual offences against children under 13 in March before being convicted of rape in July.

Warning: This article contains distressing content

Police said Levy, of no fixed address but formerly of Bamber Bridge, bombarded his first and youngest victim with WhatsApp messages telling her he loved her.

He sexually abused his second victim several times including when she was in her school uniform, police added.

After being charged with the offences, Levy was bailed ahead of his trial.

By this time, Levy had began bombarding his third victim with messages.

He then pressured the woman into agreeing to meet him for a coffee in January and then to let him come over to her house while her friend was there, police said.

After the victim's friend had left, Levy bit her, sexually assaulted her and raped her, the force said.

Levy was smirking at the victim throughout, police added.

'Sense of entitlement'

The mother of the teenage victim wrote in a victim personal statement to the court that her "very bubbly" daughter's moods had changed and she had vivid nightmares and would wake up in tears.

The woman said in her victim personal statement: "I feel scared all the time.

"I struggle to sleep and when I do it's only a couple of hours, then I am stressed at the children, it's just awful."

Det Con Jo Billington said the offences had a "profound impact" on all three of his victims.

"Levy is a dangerous and predatory offender with a sordid sexual view and sense of entitlement towards both women and girls," she said.

"He planned these offences and continued to sexually assault his victims even when they pleaded with him to stop."

Levy was handed a further five years on licence, made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and told to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

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Hudson was caught trying to arrange to meet the girl - who was actually a decoy from an online paedophile hunting group - in June this year and arrested by police.

Officers from East Durham CID immediately launched an investigation, working a 15-hour shift to gather enough evidence to charge and remand Hudson with child sex offences.

Hudson, of Horden, was charged with attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

He admitted the offences and appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday, Monday September 4, where he was jailed for 32 months. 

He was also issued with a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offender register for life.  

Detective Inspector Darren Wild, from East Durham CID, said: "Hudson knew from the outset that he was talking to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl and immediately set about grooming her for his own sexual gratification. 

"He is clearly a danger to children, so I am pleased he has been sentenced to time behind bars. 

"I would like to pass on my appreciation to everyone involved in this investigation, in particular those officers who worked solidly from 8am to midnight to ensure Hudson was quickly charged, remanded and put before the courts, protecting further children from harm."

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A Weston-super-Mare man who committed lewd acts as he stared at women on a train was arrested and released on police bail. And then Matthew Powell tried to arrange sex with a 'girl aged 13', a court heard.

Mercifully, though the women were left anxious about their experience, the girl was, in fact, a decoy operating with a paedophile hunter group. And, having been arrested a second time, Powell is now behind bars.

The 48-year-old, of Newton Road, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency in November last year. He also pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between February and March this year.

On Friday (September 1) Judge James Patrick jailed him for 42 months. He told Powell: "You are a socially isolated man, married, in a stable relationship. It is very much to her credit that your wife has been standing by you."

Powell was told to notify on the Sex Offenders' Register for life. He was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, designed to stop offending.

Alec Small, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Powell was at Liverpool Central train station when he followed a woman onto a train bound for Chester. Having sat diagonally opposite her he stared at her legs as he put his hand on his crotch, the court heard.

When she moved seats Powell went to another carriage occupied by a lone woman, the court heard. Mr Small said it seemed as if he was trying to take a photo of her on his camera phone and she became very nervous as he started to stroke his crotch on the one-hour journey.

Police called in arrested Powell at Chester, the court heard. He was interviewed and made no comment.

In impact statements one victim said it made her feel "very anxious" and she has not been on a train since. The second said she will no longer travel by train alone and avoids Chester train station.

The court heard that, on bail, Powell had sexualised Facebook chats with '13-year-old Amy' who turned out to be a decoy with a paedophile hunter group. After Powell suggested they have sex in a hotel, the group tracked him down to his home and called in police. Powell was arrested and made no comment in interview.

Catherine Flint, defending, said her client had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, affecting his ability to communicate and understand social cues. Miss Flint said non-driver Powell liked to travel the country by train, seeing attractions.

She told the court: "I ask for any sentence is kept to a minimum. He understands the only option today is one of immediate custody."

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A paedophile has been jailed after pleading guilty to raping two schoolchildren over a number of years.

Demetrios Patsalides, 73, of Carr House Road, Doncaster, warned one of his victims to not tell her friends about what he had done.

He has now been locked up for 12 years after admitting several sexual offences against two young girls.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of raping a girl under 13, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, and four counts of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Patsalides was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Patsalides sexually assaulted his victims and performed sexual acts in front of them, before warning one of the girls to "not tell her friends at school" about the abuse she had suffered.

Patsalides was interviewed by officers on 13 March 2023, during which he admitted writing a note confessing to sexual activity with a child.

Asst Det Sgt Christopher Beaumont, who led the investigation, personally commended the two victims for their courage in coming forward.

He said: "It is difficult to put into the words the trauma and suffering they endured, and their bravery must be recognised in disclosing the sexual abuse that took place at such a young age.

"Patsalides is now behind bars and facing up to the consequences of his heinous actions, and I hope this is justice served for his two victims who can now move forward with their lives.

"I really hope this harrowing case shows that we will not stop to seek justice for all victims of sexual offences, regardless of when the abuse took"

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A teenager was "haunted for years" after being touched intimately by a man in his kitchen. The victim was only 14 or 15 when Robert Parry committed the offence.

It was only when the victim found out Parry had been prosecuted for other sexual offences that the victim came forward, Caernarfon Crown Court heard. Parry, of no fixed address, but formerly of Anglesey, was in his 50s when he committed the offence against the teenager in the early 2000s.

Now 76, Parry admitted engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy 13 to 15. A judge today jailed him for six months on top of the 13 year prison sentence imposed in 2016 for other sexual offences which he is currently serving.

Prosecutor Laura Knightly told how the victim was in his kitchen when Parry reached over with his right arm and "stroked" him intimately over his clothing for a few seconds.

The victim said he felt "panic and embarrassment" and never told anyone. In a statement he said he was "haunted for years. It has been eating me up inside."

He added: "I have never felt the fear I felt that day (again) in my life." He suffers flashbacks and has sought counselling but this court case is the final hurdle to allow him to close this chapter of his life, said Ms Knightly.

Anna Pope, defending, said the incident was "mercifully short-lived". Her client is locked up for 22 hours a day in prison due to staffing issues.

He has taken a creative writing course, and entered competitions, and hopes to do more courses.

The judge His Honour Timothy Petts said he hopes this court case is an important step in the victim's recovery. The victim was alone and vulnerable, there was a disparity in age and the defendant had predatory sexual intentions.

He said Parry will be in prison or on licence until he is about 82-years-old. Even then he will be subject to sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements.

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A man who raped a vulnerable young girl has been jailed following an investigation by specialist safeguarding officers in Leeds.

Calum Stephenson, aged 20, targeted the victim, who was under 13, in June last year. 

Detectives from Leeds District Safeguarding Unit began an investigation after the girl’s mother contacted police to report the incidents. 

Stephenson was arrested and initially denied the offences but subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a girl under 13 and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. 

Today, he was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to eight years in prison with a one-year extended licence. 

He was also given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. 

Detective Inspector Carl Morrison, of Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Stephenson preyed on this vulnerable young girl to sexually exploit her, and his depraved actions have understandably had a lasting traumatic impact on the victim. 

“This was a complex and challenging investigation where painstaking work by the officer in the case, DC Rall, was able to secure the vital DNA and CCTV evidence that ultimately led to Stephenson’s guilty pleas and conviction for these offences. 

“Despite her young age and the trauma she was put through, the victim has showed real bravery in coming forward initially and throughout the investigation. 

“We hope that seeing Stephenson brought to justice will provide some level of reassurance to her and her family as they continue to move on with their lives. 

“We also hope that the successful outcome of this case will give other victims of similar offences the confidence to come forward knowing they will be listened to and supported.”