STEPHEN DENISON'S REPEATED OFFENSES IN FENHAM: JAIL TIME FOR SEX OFFENDER WHO FAILED TO REGISTER

The ongoing pattern of criminal behavior among sex offenders is starkly illustrated by the case of Stephen Denison, a man whose actions demonstrate a troubling inability or unwillingness to cease offending. Residing in Fenham, Newcastle, Denison has a documented history of targeting women and young girls, with recent events highlighting his persistent violations of legal requirements and community safety protocols.

Denison’s criminal record includes a series of disturbing incidents. In 2016, he sexually assaulted a teenage girl at a bus stop, an act that marked the beginning of his troubling pattern. Despite being on the sex offenders' register, he continued to pose a threat, and in 2021, he committed another sexual assault, this time at a bus stop in Eldon Square. The victim was left in a state of panic, hyperventilating from fear after Denison groped her. His repeated offenses led to a 16-month imprisonment, yet this did not deter his problematic behavior.

Two years after his release, Denison was involved in another incident where he hugged and kissed a woman inside a church, further demonstrating his disregard for the restrictions placed upon him. This breach resulted in a subsequent sentence of 20 weeks in prison, and he was ordered to remain on the sex offenders' register for an additional seven years. As part of his legal obligations, Denison was required to inform police of his current address upon release and to notify authorities of any new bank cards he obtained.

However, the court heard that Denison failed to comply with these conditions. He was released from his latest sentence on June 6, yet by June 9, he had not provided his address to the police. Prosecutor Jonathan Stirland explained that officers eventually located Denison on June 18, and during this encounter, they discovered he possessed a new bank card that he had not registered, further breaching his legal obligations.

Denison, who resides on Baxter Avenue in Fenham, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with the sex offenders' register. The court was informed that he had a prior conviction for the same offense from October of the previous year, which resulted in a community order. Despite this, Denison failed to engage with the Probation Service and breached his post-sentence supervision multiple times, indicating a pattern of non-compliance and disregard for legal restrictions.

His defense attorney, Ian Wilson, argued that Denison struggled to understand the requirements imposed by court orders, claiming that his client was confused about his responsibilities. Wilson emphasized that historically, Denison has not adhered to such orders, which contributed to his repeated failures.

District Judge Kate Meek sentenced Denison to four months in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his breaches. She stated, “This is the second time you have breached the notification requirements. They are there so your risk can be managed. Not only have you not complied with the requirements, but you have also failed to engage with the Probation Service. There is no indication that things are going to change.”

Judge Meek concluded that, due to his ongoing non-compliance and the lack of any sign of future cooperation, a suspended sentence was not appropriate. Instead, she ordered immediate imprisonment, noting that Denison’s pattern of behavior suggests he will continue offending upon release, raising concerns about community safety and the effectiveness of current legal measures.