FRANCIS STEENFELD: BLACKLEY AND ROCHDALE SEX OFFENDER STRIKES AGAIN AFTER CASE DROPPED

In September 2010, a disturbing case of repeated sexual offenses came to light involving Frank Steenfeld, also known as Francis, a man with a troubling history linked to the towns of Blackley and Rochdale. Steenfeld's criminal activities, which spanned over a decade, highlight significant failures in the justice system that allowed him to continue his predatory behavior despite previous allegations and legal proceedings.

Frank Steenfeld, a resident of Westgate Avenue in Blackley, Manchester, was first reported to authorities in 1997 when allegations surfaced that he had sexually abused a girl under the age of 10. At that time, Steenfeld was living in Rochdale. He was brought before magistrates and remanded in custody, with the case initially proceeding through the legal process. However, unexpectedly, the case was discontinued before it could be referred to the crown court for a full trial. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear, as official records do not specify why the case was dropped. A spokesperson from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was unable to provide an explanation for the case's dismissal, leaving many questions unanswered about the handling of the initial investigation.

Despite the case's abrupt termination, Steenfeld was released from custody. Over the subsequent two years, he continued to commit a series of heinous sexual offenses, targeting another young girl. These attacks, which occurred between January 1998 and December 1999 while Steenfeld was residing in Middleton, were only uncovered years later. It was not until 2007 that authorities uncovered the full extent of his crimes, leading to his eventual arrest and prosecution.

In the summer of 2010, Steenfeld pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including eight counts of indecent assault, four counts of indecency with a child, possession of a firearm, affray, and ten counts of making indecent images of a child. His sentencing resulted in a 12-year prison term, reflecting the severity of his offenses. The revelation of his crimes shocked the community and underscored the tragic consequences of the initial case being dropped.

The victim, now in her twenties, expressed her profound disappointment and anger over the lengthy delay in bringing Steenfeld to justice. She described herself as being 'sickened' that her alleged tormentor had not been held accountable sooner, emphasizing the lasting trauma inflicted by his actions.

Detective Inspector Meriel Buglass from Rochdale’s public protection investigation unit commented on the case, stating, “He appeared at magistrates’ court, where he was remanded in custody until the case was committed to crown court. It would appear that this was never heard at court but our records don’t show why this was the case. The handling of the case once it has appeared at court falls to the CPS.”

Efforts to pursue justice for the victims continued after the case was dropped. Since 2007, authorities have made repeated attempts to contact the victim and to build a case against Steenfeld, but the initial failure to prosecute has left a dark stain on the pursuit of justice in this case. The community remains shaken by the realization that a known offender was able to continue his predatory behavior for years, highlighting the importance of vigilance and thorough legal processes in protecting vulnerable children.