STEPHEN DAVEY SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS IN PORTLAND FOR ABUSE CASE

A 57-year-old man named Stephen Davey has been sentenced to 17 years in prison following a series of severe sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The charges include two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, three counts of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault of a child, all involving the same victim. The trial concluded on Wednesday, March 26, with Davey being released on court bail until his sentencing at Truro Crown Court on April 3. The victim, who demonstrated remarkable courage in giving testimony, shared her long-standing trauma, stating: "This is something I couldn't tell anyone. I kept it from people for so long. But it never goes away. It is constant. I was scared I wouldn't be believed but I was, and that in itself was a relief. Giving evidence in the witness box has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life." During the court hearing, it was revealed that Davey’s abuse was extensive, including two instances of rape, with the acts occurring when the victim was just under 13 years old. The judge described her testimony as "one of the most moving and traumatic I have seen," emphasizing that "her childhood was stolen, and she will always carry this throughout her entire life." Defense arguments citing health issues and concern for his mother’s care were dismissed by the judge. Davey was sentenced to 17 years for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, plus an additional year on extended license, along with five years each for sexual assault and indecent assault—all sentences to run concurrently. He will serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before being eligible for parole. He is also ordered to have no contact with the victim and must register as a sex offender for life. Detective Sergeant David Squire commended the victim’s bravery and reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to investigating such crimes and supporting victims, encouraging others to come forward. The article underscores the importance of justice in addressing non-recent sexual abuse cases and advocates for increased community awareness and victim support.