BELFAST MAN MARC STEENSON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN MIRFIELD HOTEL
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Marc Steenson, a 31-year-old man from Belfast, was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a minor after traveling from Northern Ireland to meet a teenage girl in Mirfield.The incident unfolded over a series of encounters that began with online communication and culminated in a troubling meeting at a hotel in Leeds Road.
According to court proceedings, Steenson had established a relationship with the 14-year-old girl through an internet chat platform.
Their communication involved numerous text messages and phone calls, which gradually led to face-to-face meetings.
The first of these meetings took place in a churchyard, where Steenson reportedly kissed and fondled her over her clothing, an act that already raised serious concerns about his intentions.
It was during his second visit in June 2012 that the situation escalated further.
Steenson took the girl to his hotel room at the Travelodge in Leeds Road, where he proposed marriage to her.
During this visit, he presented her with a ring, described by the court as a “fairly cheap” item purchased from a high street chain.
The girl, described as vulnerable, was persuaded to undress, and the two engaged in sexual activity.
Prosecutor Christopher Jackson told Leeds Crown Court that after the proposal, the girl had sex with Steenson, an act that was both illegal and deeply troubling given her age.
Additional details revealed that on another day, Steenson and the girl bathed together, and he took photographs of her.
However, these photographs were not recovered after their relationship was exposed, suggesting an attempt to conceal evidence.
The court heard that Steenson also took explicit photos of the girl, although none were found during investigations.
In his defense, Steenson’s lawyer, Neil Murphy, described him as an “inept and sad individual” who believed he was in love with the girl despite being more than twice her age.
Murphy argued that Steenson was in a state of isolation and depression, which led him to mistake his feelings for genuine love.
He emphasized that Steenson was not a dangerous pedophile but rather an “idiot,” suggesting that his actions stemmed from naivety rather than malicious intent.
Steenson, who resides at Orchardville Gardens in Belfast, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual activity with a child.
His sentencing included a prison term of 40 months, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
The judge, Christopher Batty, highlighted the girl’s vulnerability and her desire for affection.
He noted that when she first met Steenson, she was unaware of his age, and by the time she realized, they appeared to have fallen in love.
The judge expressed concern over the emotional manipulation involved, especially given her young age and the pressure she felt when presented with an engagement ring in a hotel room.
Judge Batty questioned the appropriateness of Steenson’s actions, asking, “What informed decision could she really make about what she wants to do with you when she is 14 and you were 29?” He emphasized that Steenson had taken away the girl’s innocence, a loss she only fully understood later.
The judge concluded by stating that, despite Steenson’s naivety, his actions warranted a custodial sentence, and he was to serve time in prison for his misconduct.
