BARNARD CASTLE SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVOR TO APPEAL SENTENCE
A man who was sexually abused as a boy has expressed feelings of "failure" and "anger" towards his attacker’s "sickening" 12-month imprisonment, after waiting many years for justice, and intends to challenge what he deems a "lenient" sentence.The unnamed victim, for legal reasons, was one of three boys molested by Stephen Chrystal during his teenage years.
In May, the 52-year-old was sentenced to a year in prison following his conviction for the historic sexual offenses against the boys.
Chrystal caused lasting trauma to his victims through his depraved acts committed many years ago in the Barnard Castle area.
He was found guilty of 20 sexual crimes related to the three boys after a trial at Durham Crown Court.
Following the ordeal of two trials, one of the victims has come forward to seek a longer prison sentence for his abuser by appealing the relatively light punishment.
“I was absolutely shattered upon hearing his sentence,” he said.
“The abuse I endured has haunted me for years, and he’ll be free in six months.
“He knew what he had done and made me go through two trials—why didn’t he just admit guilt?
“Having to relive the abuse during both trials, especially with the questions from the defense, was unimaginably terrible.
“I feel sick and furious that he subjected me to that ordeal and was only sentenced to a year.
“No one listened when I was younger, and I feel the system has let us down again now.” During the court proceedings, Chrystal was described as a man who had contributed actively to the community of Matlock in Derbyshire since leaving the North East.
When Judge Jo Kidd sentenced him at Teesside Crown Court, the victim struggled to hold back tears.
He said: “The feeling of being heard and believed was short-lived once he was sentenced.
"Throughout the process, he maintained his innocence.
"He was preparing to appeal the convictions before sentencing, but at the hearing, he said he wouldn’t proceed.” --- “I am furious and heartbroken, and I believe I must appeal his leniency.
"Though mentally and emotionally exhausted, it’s been five years since I reported it, and I’ve had to relive these traumatic memories repeatedly.
“Others who committed similar offenses have received years in prison—how can my abuser only serve 12 months?” Chrystal, of St Katherine’s, Grove Lane, Hackney, Matlock, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years.