BARNARD CASTLE SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVOR TO APPEAL SENTENCE
A man who was sexually abused as a boy expressed feelings of being "failed" and "angry" about the "sickening" 12-month sentence given to his attacker after waiting many years for justice.He plans to challenge the "lenient" punishment by appealing.
The victim, whose identity is protected by law, was one of three young boys abused by Stephen Chrystal during his teenage years.
In May, the 52-year-old was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of historic sexual offenses against the boys.
His actions left the victims with lasting trauma due to the depraved assaults he carried out in the Barnard Castle area decades ago.
Chrystal was convicted of 20 sexual crimes related to the three boys following a trial at Durham Crown Court.
After enduring the process of two trials, one of the victims has come forward with the aim of increasing his abuser’s sentence through an appeal, criticizing the sentence as too lenient.
“I was utterly devastated when I heard his sentence,” he said.
“The abuse I endured has haunted me for years, and he’ll be out again in six months.
“He forced me and the other victims to relive those horrible times during two trials, knowing full well what he had done—why couldn’t he have just admitted guilt?
It was absolutely horrific to be put through that multiple times, especially with the aggressive questioning from the defence.
“It makes me sick and furious that he subjected me to such an ordeal and then only got 12 months.
“No one listened to us when we were children, and it feels like the system has failed us once more.” During the trial, Chrystal was portrayed as someone who had contributed positively to the Matlock community in Derbyshire since leaving the North East.
When he received his 12-month sentence from Judge Jo Kidd at Teesside Crown Court, the victim struggled to contain his emotions.
He said: “The relief of being heard and believed was short-lived when he was sentenced.
“Throughout the court proceedings, he maintained his innocence.
“He had intended to appeal the verdicts before sentencing, but at the hearing he said he wouldn't.
I am so angry and upset that I feel compelled to challenge his leniency.
“Even though I am emotionally exhausted, it’s been five years since I reported it, and I’ve had to revisit these traumatic events repeatedly.
“Others involved in similar crimes have received longer sentences—how can my abuser only get a year?” Chrystal, who lives on St Katherine’s, Grove Lane in Hackney and is from Matlock, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.