ADAM STEVENSON SHAMES HOUGHTON IN SHOCKING STREET EXPOSE INCIDENT

In July 2015, a disturbing incident unfolded in the town of Houghton, where a mother took extraordinary measures to protect her 12-year-old daughter from a predatory individual. The perpetrator, identified as Adam Stevenson, aged 33, was involved in a distressing act of public indecency that left the young girl traumatized and her family shaken.

It all began when the young girl was waiting at a bus stop in Fence Houses, a locality within Houghton, on the evening of May 1. As she stood at the Station Avenue bus stop, the bus she was waiting for was running late. During this time, a man, later identified as Stevenson, walked past the bus stop multiple times. After a brief pause, he approached the girl and casually asked her, “Have you got the time?”

While she checked her phone to respond, Stevenson took the opportunity to undress himself, exposing his genitals to the young girl. The horrifying act was accompanied by him moving his hand back and forth in a lewd manner. The girl, understandably upset and frightened, screamed and immediately ran away from the scene. Her distress was compounded by the fact that Stevenson was wearing a work uniform, which bore a name badge with the name “Adam” clearly visible.

Following the incident, the girl confided in her mother, providing a detailed description of the man involved. Her mother, determined to find the perpetrator, searched the surrounding area but was unable to locate him. Recognizing the importance of identifying the suspect, she turned to social media, specifically Facebook, where she found a photograph of Stevenson. Her daughter was able to positively identify him from the image, which led her to contact the police.

Law enforcement officials responded swiftly. Stevenson was arrested and subsequently charged with the offense. During a hearing at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Glenda Beck recounted the details of the incident. She explained that the girl was at the bus stop in Station Avenue, North Fence Houses, when Stevenson approached her and asked for the time. After she checked her phone and responded that it was 18:46, she heard him cough and then saw that he had exposed himself, moving his hand inappropriately. The girl, visibly upset, ran away from the scene and reported the incident to her mother, who then contacted the police.

In her statement, the mother confirmed that she had shown a Facebook photograph of Stevenson to her daughter, who identified him as the man responsible. Stevenson, who is married and has a child, initially denied the allegations during police interviews, claiming he was working at a pet crematorium in Langley Park, County Durham, at the time of the incident. However, during further questioning, Stevenson asked officers, “What will happen if it was me?” before admitting to the act. He described his behavior as a “stupid, stupid thing to do,” claiming he thought the girl was “16 or 17 years old” and that exposing himself might have been an attempt to excite her.

Stevenson pleaded guilty to the charge of exposure at an earlier hearing. His actions resulted in him losing his job. The court heard mitigating remarks from Robin Ford, who stated that as a father of two children, he found it difficult to be positive about the offense but could speak positively about Stevenson’s character based on references from his former employers, a serving soldier, and his wife. Ford also highlighted that Stevenson was facing “a multitude of family issues,” which may have contributed to his behavior.

In sentencing, the chairman of the bench, Mr. Hughes, imposed a three-year community order on Stevenson. The sentence included 60 hours of rehabilitation activities, 200 hours of unpaid work, and financial penalties comprising costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £60, and £500 in compensation to the victim. Additionally, Stevenson was ordered to pay £180 in court costs.

The victim’s mother expressed her ongoing distress following the sentencing. She told the Echo that her daughter remains deeply traumatized by the incident. “I don’t think it’s enough,” she said. “He is still free to do what he wants and who’s to say he won’t do it again?” She revealed that her daughter continues to sleep in her bed out of fear and is now more hesitant to go out, with her mother uncertain about how long these effects will last.