SOUTHEND'S STEPHEN CASTLE AND STEVEN DAVIS EXPOSED IN SHOCKING CHILD PROSTITUTION RING
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Essex community, two men from Southend, Stephen Castle and Steven Davis, have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in operating a child exploitation and prostitution network through their escort agency, Girls4you, based in Shoeburyness.Essex Police launched a detailed investigation into the operation in April 2014 after a series of alarming discoveries.
The inquiry was sparked when officers found a vulnerable teenager, who had been reported missing from her home, in a car driven by Steven Davis.
During questioning, the girl revealed that she had been working as a prostitute and that Davis was involved in facilitating her activities.
Davis was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arranging or facilitating child prostitution.
Further investigations uncovered that the girl, who was just shy of her 16th birthday at the time, had started working for the agency shortly before her birthday.
She told police that neither she nor Davis had been asked her age, despite her having disclosed it.
The victim also disclosed that both Castle and Davis had supplied her with mephedrone, a dangerous recreational drug.
Police found indecent images of the girl and another 16-year-old girl on Castle’s mobile phone, along with numerous text messages that revealed his active involvement in managing Girls4you.
Testimonies from women who worked for the agency painted a troubling picture.
They reported that they would often drink alcohol and take drugs at Castle’s flat while waiting for bookings.
Steven Davis, aged 55, would drive these women to their appointments and would step in to manage the business whenever Castle was unavailable or busy.
The agency, which had been operating for 14 years, was shut down when Castle, then 41, was arrested on August 27, 2014, during a police raid at his address in Shoeburyness.
Castle, now residing in Eastbourne on Friday Street, pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
These included controlling activities of a person in prostitution for financial gain between June 1, 2013, and August 31, 2014, possession of 198 indecent images of children, distribution of 13 indecent images of a child, and involvement in the supply of mephedrone.
He was sentenced to a total of four years in prison.
Steven Davis, who was known locally as 'Big Steve' due to his stature, denied knowing that the victims were underage and claimed he only worked as a part-time driver for the agency, not as a business partner.
He also worked as a bailiff in the past.
Despite his claims, Davis was convicted on two counts of arranging or facilitating child prostitution, each carrying a sentence of two and a half years, and a 15-month sentence for controlling prostitution for gain.
These sentences are to run concurrently.
Additionally, he admitted to being involved in the supply of mephedrone and received a six-month sentence, also to run concurrently.
A charge of possession of an indecent image of a child was left on file by the court.
Both men were placed on the sex offenders register, reflecting the severity of their crimes.
The investigation revealed that Girls4you’s website offered sexual services in exchange for money, with listings for girls that potential clients could browse and book.
The site boasted of its ability to deliver escorts “to your door within the hour” and claimed to serve much of Essex, including major airports such as Southend, Stansted, and Luton.
This case highlights the disturbing extent of child exploitation facilitated through online platforms and illegal escort services.
The authorities’ efforts to dismantle this operation serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against such heinous crimes in the region.
