July 2013
Predatory paedophile sentenced to 24 years in prison
A sex offender who was charged with 15 sex offences has been handed a Substantial prison sentence following a trial which concluded at Grimsby Crown Court on Thursday 18 July.
Stephen WILLIAMS (60) of Ladysmith Road, Grimsby was arrested by police on 08 January 2013 and was charged with seven counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 13, one count of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15, three counts of rape of a girl under 13 and four counts of rape of a girl aged 13/14/15. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Before sentence was passed, defence barrister Simon Hirst asked Recorder Anton Lodge QC to take into consideration it being Williams’ first custodial sentence and his age.
Recorder Lodge described Williams as a “clever man” who had used his cleverness to manipulate and control others for “criminally immoral ends.”
He said: “It can be safely said that you have damaged each of the three girls.”
Williams was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and disqualified from working with children.
When the sentence was passed, relatives of the victims let out a jubilant cry of “yes” from the public gallery.
By contrast, Williams, who was wearing a turquoise green cardigan and white shirt, showed no emotion as he was told of his fate.
Minutes earlier he had appeared in a relaxed mood, and was seen laughing and joking with the court guards.
As Williams was led from the dock, his victims’ relatives gave him a sarcastic round of applause, with one saying: “Has justice been done? Yes, it has.”
Detective Sergeant Phil BOOKER, of the Public Protection Unit in Grimsby said: “This was a case involving serious sexual offences and justice has prevailed.This is an excellent result for the victims and their families after reliving their ordeal by having to go through a trial to give evidence and the impact this will have had on them emotionally.
“I am are extremely pleased with the result and for the outcome for the victims, after conducting a serious and complex investigation my thoughts, and that of the team of investigators, are with the victims and families and have been there to support them throughout the investigation and trial.
“WILLIAMS will now thankfully be behind bars for a significant number of years and will not have the opportunity to prey on other victims. I hope this sentence will show people that sex offenders such as WILLIAMS will not go unnoticed by police and, I hope this will encourage people to come forward and report such serious offences to police.”
