February 2003
Pervert is jailed for abuse of girl thirty years ago
A COUNCIL worker has been jailed for two years after admitting abusing a young girl thirty years ago.
Stephen Rutherford, 49, of Kilwinning Terrace, Musselburgh, admitted two counts of indecency against a child dating back to the 1970s when he appeared at Warrington Crown Court.
The 49-year-old was facing the trial after allegations came to light last year.
Prosecutor Meirion Lewis Jones said the incidents occurred in the girl’s home.
The first abuse took place when she was aged between four and six, and the second when she was aged between nine and 12.
Michael Scholes, defending, said his client was not a paedophile and that the offences were the result of “exceptional circumstances”.
But, passing sentence at the English crown court last week, Judge Michael Farmer QC condemned the events as a wicked attack
He added: “Children need to be protected and people who think of abusing them like you did must be deterred by the courts.
“You should remain in jail for a very long time.”
