Locations
Marks Court, Southend-on-sea, SS1
Description
A man who sexually assaulted a young child and had more than 125,000 indecent images and videos of children has been jailed following an in-depth investigation by our Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT).
Officers started investigations and executed a warrant after they were alerted to concerning activity on Steven Field’s devices.
Forensic analysis of the devices seized from his Southend home revealed a number of indecent images and videos of children, internet searches and accounts connected to the defendant.
Investigating officers became particularly concerned around some of the images which clearly showed the 52-year-old with a child.
"sensitive investigation"
Working sensitively with the child and their family, the child revealed that they had been sexually assaulted by Field.
Following a meticulous investigation and overwhelming evidence Field, of Marks Court, admitted one count of taking an indecent photo of a child and three counts of making indecent/pseudo photo of a child (Cat A – 2491 photos and 228 videos. Cat B – 3087 photos and 158 videos. Cat C – 118,633 photos and 496 videos) when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court.
He denied the charge of assault of a child under 13 by penetration but was found guilty in October 2025 following a jury trial.
At the same court on Monday 19 January he was jailed for seven years, with a further year on licence. As part of his sentence he must comply with the restrictions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and he was placed on the sex offenders register.
"every child in every image is a victim"
Detective Constable Rob Guiney, who led this investigation, paid tribute to the young survivor in this case.
They have shown such strength and determination throughout this very challenging investigation. They have bravely told their story and realised what happened to them was wrong and against the law.
Field’s depraved offending has now been stopped, and he is rightly serving a prison sentence.
Every child in every image is a victim, and we are dedicated to finding those who prey on the most vulnerable people in our society.
Please do report any concerns you have to us, we are here and will thoroughly investigate all allegations made.