February 2015
Serial rapist facing a long spell in jail after being convicted of series of sex crimes against females
Stephen Taylor, 58, is guilty of targeting two girls and two women during a period spanning about 10 years, with his offences including the rape of one of his child victims.
Cumbria’s top judge said he had been convicted of “brutal” offending, warning him he was set to spend years behind bars.
Taylor showed no emotion as Judge Paul Batty QC told him: “Be under no illusions, you face an extremely lengthy custodial sentence.”
Taylor, of Leconfield Street, Cleator Moor, had been on trial at Carlisle Crown Court, where he denied 22 charges.
But a jury found him guilty of 17 of these crimes. He also admitted two other charges before the trial got underway.
The trial heard how a “significant number of women” had come forward to make claims against Taylor.
Taylor’s overall crimes spanned a period between 1980 and 1990.
Isla Chilton, senior crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the north west spoke after the hearing.
She said: “Stephen Taylor has been convicted of carrying out horrendous physical and sexual abuse of four female victims.
“He showed a distinctive pattern of behaviour throughout his contact with all the victims by controlling, manipulating and forcing himself upon each of them.
“The victims have shown immense bravery in coming forward and taking a stand against their abuser.
“I sincerely hope that following the verdicts, they can begin to move on with their lives in the knowledge that justice has been served.”
A jury unanimously found him guilty of six counts of rape and six serious sexual assaults against one woman.
He was also found guilty of two counts of rape against another woman but cleared of a third charge of rape for this victim.
The jury returned majority verdicts on one count of rape and two charges that he indecently assaulted a girl.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault against another girl.
In relation to a third girl, Taylor was found not guilty of three charges of sexual assault and one charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Taylor, wearing a grey sweatshirt and jeans, was told by Judge Batty: “You have been convicted of brutal offending.”
The case was adjourned and Taylor will be sentenced at a later date. He was remanded in custody.
